Last summer, I found myself scrolling through LinkedIn, congratulating friends on their new jobs and summer internships. I saw peers travelling the world and stepping into exciting roles, and I couldn’t help but reflect on my own path. As a journalism student, paid summer internships can be tough to find many of the opportunities I’ve had were unpaid and came with significant personal costs. The idea of doing an international internship always felt a bit out of reach. However, a familiar page kept appearing, “Saltire Scholars”. Immediately curious I had to investigate more. I’ll admit, I assumed there wouldn’t be anything in my field, but to my surprise, there was! And just like that, my goal for the next year was locked in.
I immediately was attracted to the wide range of opportunities available from world-class companies all over the world. After seven months of applications, interviews and assessment centres I got the offer to Intern in Boston for the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA and Scots in New England. I was ecstatic not only to be chosen as a 2025 Saltire Scholar but to have the incredible opportunity to live in a new country for two months!
At University I study Journalism, Media & Communications with English and Creative Writing. However, going into the application process, I knew I wanted to focus on marketing internships- an area in which I had some part time and freelance experience. But I craved a deeper understanding of the more business-focused and analytical aspects of the subject, in order to broaden my skillset and gain a well-rounded perspective of the field.
Going into my internship, I was excited to learn that a lot of my role would revolve around data analytics, an area I didn’t have much knowledge on but was eager to explore. My main project involved developing a tailored marketing campaign to assess whether using regional data could increase membership sign-ups compared to a standard, non-targeted approach. My second project was to do research on Scottish Alumni Groups in America and compile an insight report containing my findings.
This was completely new territory for me, and at first, I felt extremely out of my comfort zone. I struggled with some serious imposter syndrome. But my professional goal for the summer was to push myself and learn new skills I wasn’t 100% comfortable in, and that’s exactly what I did! I quickly picked up the skills and techniques and can now confidently say that I’m much more assured in my abilities in both data analytics and market research.
I absolutely loved working alongside the team at NTSUSA and SINE, both made me feel incredibly welcome from day one. One of the highlights was getting to work alongside Michael Inglis, a previous Saltire Scholar, who also interned in Boston. Having a mentor who had once been in the exact same position was truly inspiring and reassuring.
What I didn’t expect from the internship was just how at home I would feel in Boston. The Scottish community in New England was incredibly welcoming and hospitable. We were invited to BBQs, Dinners and baseball games, networking and connecting with industry leaders. We also met local Scots who shared great recommendations and helped make Boston feel a little bit like home.
When we weren’t working, we made the most of our evenings and weekends. We explored as much of the U.S. as we could, taking weekend trips to places like New York and Cape Cod. We also delved into Massachusetts rich history with visits to Gloucester, Salem, and Harvard. On weeknights, we watched films set in Boston including Good Will Hunting, The Town, and Shutter Island.
One of my favourite memories from the trip was the 4th of July. We made the most of the entire day, starting at 8 a.m. with the historic parade through the city, listening to a speech by Boston’s mayor, spending the afternoon at a rooftop bar, and ending the night watching the fireworks from the Esplanade. It was an unforgettable day, and just one of many memories from this summer that I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.
I truly feel like this summer has changed me in ways I never could’ve imagined. Moving to a new country, knowing no one was without a doubt challenging. When I first arrived, my self-confidence took a serious hit, and I completely lost my sense of self. But over time I realised that real growth is rarely comfortable, but it’s always worthwhile. Being away gave me the space to truly understand myself on a deeper level, and it shifted my entire perspective on life. Knowing now that I can move anywhere in the world and build a life and community for myself is incredibly empowering and I’m walking away from this experience with a renewed sense of confidence not just in my professional abilities, but in who I am as a person.
I cannot recommend this experience enough to any future students considering applying. Having Saltire Scholars on your CV is undoubtedly a valuable asset, but beyond that, the memories you make, the close friendships you form, and the professional network you build are truly priceless. It’s an opportunity that not only shapes your career but your personal growth in ways that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
