The Glasgow Experience

Where I Fell in Love with Irn Bru

Hey everyone,

I hope you're all doing well. I've just returned from a week-long internship at J.P. Morgan in Glasgow and I thought I'd share my takeaways.

First and foremost, the internship was excellent. The numerous sessions covered a wide range of topics, from training our own AI to software engineering development strategies and frameworks, as well as personal branding. I learned a thing or two, not just from a technical standpoint but also in terms of how to set myself up for success in both business and work. Although the programming side was somewhat limited, I think the organizers did a great job of making it accessible to various skill sets. The week culminated in a hackathon on Friday, which was a thrilling way to apply our new knowledge. My team even won, which was an amazing wrap-up to the internship.

Now, what were my non-work-related takeaways? For one, I've gained a new appreciation for London's public transportation. Although I was lucky enough to stay in a hotel just 10 minutes from the office, others weren't as fortunate. I was surprised to discover that buses and trains ran on a scheduled timetable. Coming from London, where you can hop on a bus or train every few minutes, this was quite surreal. When someone missed their first train and had to wait an hour, I realised how spoiled I'd been by London's convenient transport system.

Another aspect of Glasgow that impressed me was the architecture. I loved the stonework buildings and roads, which made everyday walks a delight. While London has similar features, I'd never noticed them as much as I did in Glasgow. The J.P. Morgan building itself had an industrial design aesthetic, with exposed ceilings and pipes that added to the edifice's charm. I did find it curious that many pedestrian lights didn't work, and locals seemed to rely on watching the traffic rather than waiting for the lights. When I asked, I was told it was a common practice, although it might depend on the specific area within Glasgow.

On a more culinary note, I was introduced to the legendary Irn Bru, a Scottish soft drink that I vaguely recognized from London but had never tried. It has a distinctive bubblegum flavor that, surprisingly, wasn't too sweet. I found myself having an Irn Bru every day, and I must say, it's grown on me.

The tap water in Scotland was another revelation - it tasted like bottled mineral water! Compared to London's neutral-tasting tap water, Scotland's was a refreshing change.

That's my Glasgow experience in a nutshell. I'd say it was an enjoyable week, and I'm grateful to have met some great people and made new friends. Off I go, back to London! Kudos to my Dad for taking me on this opportunity. Movie nights were funny. I also enjoyed the side quests and chats after work.

Gratitude for every word read and every thought shared. Until next time!

Best wishes,

Ismail

P.S. How's your tap water?