I arrived in Houston on Friday 9^th July having been on two flights with KLM which were enjoyable with a great selection of movies and TV shows to keep me amused, although the early start allowed me to nap for a little bit on the flight, I was eager to watch Harry Potter 7 (part 1) to remember what had happened prior to the release of part 2 this week. I was glad for the blanket as it got cold on the flight.

After around a two hour weight in the line for the security checks I was allowed into the country only to be faced with what can only be explained as an overwhelming heat that I’m sure will continue for the eight weeks ahead. I stayed awake for over 26hours so I could adjust to the time difference, which was difficult but worth it.

There had been a taxi organized for all of us Wood Group interns from the airport to our apartments. It seemed like this was the first challenge of the internship – fitting four suitcases into the trunk (boot) of the car. Lizzie and I were dropped of at our apartment following Jack and Kraig being dropped of at their complex first, where Lizzie and I moved to on Wednesday 13^th July, from our 5 night stay at San Brisas. (Pictured Below, pool side)

Our apartments are fantastic with a pool and gym on site. There is a BBQ area also which has been great as Jack, Kraig and Chris (intern at Cameron International) have been cooking/BBQ-ing for us girls. Thanks guys! We were given two cars one for the boys and one for the girls, it was strange to begin with but now able to get to work without sat nav which is great.

The first day of work was an orientation which included a brief summery of the business, explanation of what we would be doing, a tour of different departments and meeting lots of people and of course lots of food. Which included a breakfast meet and greet, this was really good as we could chat to people and find out more about what they did.

My first day of real work started on Tuesday and I am based in corporate communications for four weeks. I have five projects at the moment; bingo, environment day, pet supply drive, success stories, and graduate section of the website.

            -Bingo: I have been helping organize a bingo fundraising lunch for Team Wood Group. This has been mainly printing and cutting things and sending emails out, I am looking forward to the event to meet everyone who has signed up. We are hoping for 120 people which will provide a great atmosphere.

            -Environment Day: it’s the companies environment day in a few months and I have been asked to look at options for this and then take it forward to organize an event for the office staff, we have moved it to August so the interns here can take part too. I will hopefully have conformation of the selected event next week. Options include, tree planning and watering, trash removal, cleaning picnic tables and benches and cleaning and repairing trails in a park.

            - Pet Supply Drive: Staff at Wood Group have been collecting pet supplies to donate to local pet charities. I have been helping distribute the items and I have been asked to write an article for the Wood Group Intranet site about this great demonstration of caring within the workplace. You should have seen the room filled with supplies, I was amazed.

            -Success Stories: These can be found on the Wood Group website under ‘about us’ I have been asked to find more stories for this section of the website and follow up with the correct people to ensure that within the 8 week long internship program we can see results.

            -Graduate Website: I have been asked to look at ways that the graduate section of the website can be improved. I just do this part when I have spare time, and is something that can be continued throughout the 8 weeks so that there are multiple views of the current arrangement on the website.

I have to mention that everyone that works here at Wood Group is extremely friendly and are all willing to help out if needed. I was nervous about the friendliness of people, with it being a large organization I thought that it may not be an easy place to work. I love working with everyone here, they are all so kind and nothing seems to be a problem for them. Maybe they are always happy because of the good weather they always get?

I can’t stress enough how grateful I am of the help and support that the Wood Group have given us interns, they really care and want us to have a fantastic time. From day one I have felt like I have been welcomed into the organization.

We have been having lots of fun since we have been here and have visited some malls – which included a long time debating which was the best mobile phone deal to get, eaten out – which as expected are massive portions but I have to admit I forgot how great free refills are, sat by the pool, been to the gym. Lizzie and I went to see Britney Spears last night who was supported by Nicki Minaj which was absolutely fantastic, but it was disappointing that you were not permitted to take your camera into the arena with you, sadly our $20.00 mobiles don’t have a camera either. Tonight we are heading to the outlet malls and then straight from work tomorrow we will be heading to Dallas to meet up with the interns there.