The last few weeks have been exciting and busy! I had an memorable last day at work, enjoyed my final weekend in Singapore, flew back to Aberdeen (with an unexpected stop in Manchester!), and on Saturday moved back down to Edinburgh to resume university. Everything has happened so fast, and it's hard to believe that I've spent 2 whole months working and living so far from home. Even though it wasn't plain sailing all the way, Alastair and I have relished the challenges the internship threw up, and have come out much the wiser for it. Understanding and appreciating Asian culture has been particularly valuable, and I hope to visit Singapore again in the future. Having had some time to reflect upon those action packed months, I can confidently say it has been my most memorable summer yet, and an amazing experience that I will never forget!
On our last day of work Alastair and I wrapped things up at the Hyatt by helping to throw a charity Ramadan banquet for a local Muslim children's home which cares for orphans and youths from broken families. I have never been involved in charity work before, but I'm sure I will volunteer again in future as the appreciation the children showed towards us was humbling and the opportunity to assist very rewarding. Wearing the traditional Malay dress for the breaking of fast was definitely the highlight of the evening, and earned us both compliments and a few surprised looks!
We ended by thanking John Beveridge for affording us the opportunity to come and work in Singapore, and to John and his staff at the Grand Hyatt I am very grateful. I know I speak for both Alastair and I in saying that we have the utmost respect for John, and consider him a definite role model. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Mark Hallan, who has been fantastic in easing us into life in an unfamiliar city and introducing us to Singapore's expat Scots and watering holes in the process! Last but not least my thanks go out to the Saltire Foundation team who made everything possible and without their hard work I would not have this extraordinary opportunity - I look forward to catching up with them and the other interns back in Glasgow!
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