Hello everyone,
Here it goes..my first blog ever.....I have never had the experience of writing a blog before, so please bear with me. I can only hope that my blogging style will only get better..
Short introduction....My name is Anda-Lucia (from Romania) and I just finished my 3rd year at University of Edinburgh, doing Computer Science. This summer, I have the fantastic opportunity to go to Houston for an internship in technology at JP Morgan for 10 weeks, starting on the 18th June . A valuable experience I will never forget..
Cliché as it may sound...I can't express how lucky I am to be a Saltire Scholar.... The experience so far has been fantastic...The people from Saltire Foundation are so amazing! I want to give them a big thank you for everything they've been doing for us and for all their hard work they have put into (helping us with the visa application, sorting the accommodation and organising an amazing Leadership Day and many many others)
Houston arrival..I got to Houston last Monday (my first time ever in the US) because I had be a week before my actual internship starts as there were a couple of pre-processing steps that still need to be completed. And yes, I am now (at the time of writing) officially cleared out to start tomorrow my internship.
Before my flight, I still had to realise what was happening around me.. Luggage was done. Paperwork in order. Visa received. Me, an amalgam of emotions: anxiety, excitement, adrenaline. The almost 10-hour flight from London was ok, I mostly watched movies and played some games, but couldn't fall asleep at all.
First impressions: people are very friendly....the taxi driver that took me to the hotel was very nice and gave me a short introduction on Houston: the business centre, the areas, North and South, the largest Medical Centre in the world, the shopping centres (Galleria, the greatest mall) etc.. Everything here looks like a bigger world, the buildings are so tall that I first I felt intimidated.
So, I had a few days to settle in and find my way around. First thing that shocked me (the moment I got off from the plane) ...was the weather (well, I guess weather in Houston should come as no surprise). I could say that I am quite used with hot summers (as in Romania), but the main difference here is that the humidity is really really high. However, I came well prepared with tons of sun lotion and different sunglasses. The shops are really big, you can find anything you want. Also, there are great places to eat. It looks that you don't get easily bored in this city!
Accommodation...I am staying in a a really nice hotel and I have a studio room which is very large. It's like 20 minutes away by bus from the downtown, where I will be working.
And tomorrow....it's my first day.....I can't say how excited I am to meet everyone and to start my internship! Less than 12 hours....woww....
Looks like all the Scholars are having a great time around the world and already had amazing first weeks at work. I just want to wish everyone a fantastic summer and good luck with their internshps! Time flies so quickly....too quickly...
That's all from me now....I will be back with my first week experience, which I am sure it will be really enjoyable and unforgettable!
Have a fantastic week!
Anda