Stepping off the plane in Toronto, I felt the excitement of a summer unlike any other. I had just secured a Saltire Scholars internship, a chance to live and work abroad, gain hands-on business experience, and explore a completely new city.
I’m Jenna Robinson, a Business Management student at the University of Dundee. I discovered the Saltire Scholars Programme through my Careers Service, and the opportunity to work overseas immediately caught my eye. I applied hoping to gain real-world experience, learn what kind of role I’d like after graduation, and see how business operates in a new environment.
For twelve weeks, I joined Park N’Fly as a Business Analyst, spending six weeks in marketing and six in accounting. My work was varied and fast-paced: competitor analyses, SWOT reviews, bilingual customer surveys, social media scheduling, event support, economic projections, HR and payroll audits, ESG reporting, and financial analyses like budget variances and collision expenses. Every day brought a new challenge!
One of my proudest contributions was delivering an in-depth competitor analysis that directly informed sales strategy. I also took part in the initial prospect meeting with the Oshawa Generals hockey team, which led to a discount code for season ticket holders. A highlight was seeing my design ideas, including a graph I created, published in the company’s marketing magazine for corporate partners. My work had real impact: research shaped sales positioning, survey results improved loyalty tracking, and accounting support strengthened financial accuracy.
This internship pushed me far outside my comfort zone. I grew more confident presenting ideas, networking with senior leaders, and managing multiple projects with competing deadlines. The exposure to accounting, HR analytics, and ESG reporting opened my eyes to new career possibilities and taught me the value of versatility.
Some of my most rewarding moments happened outside the office, such as networking events at the Mimico Cruising Club and Scarborough Shooting Stars, and weekends exploring Toronto with fellow interns. I made lifelong friends and built professional connections across the Canadian travel industry.
To anyone considering the Saltire Scholars Programme: go for it. It’s a rare chance to work with inspiring leaders, develop skills you can’t learn in a classroom, and, if you go abroad like I did, turn every weekend into an adventure. Be curious, say yes to opportunities, and build relationships as the connections you make can be just as valuable as the work itself.
Being a Saltire Scholar means joining a community that values ambition, adaptability, and making an impact, a mindset I’ll carry into my final year and beyond. Take the leap; it could be the start of the best summer of your life.
