My name is Emma, and I’m currently entering my fifth and final year at The University of Strathclyde studying MSci Immunology. Over the summer, I completed a ten-week internship as a Market Research Intern with That’s Nice in the heart of New York City. The chance to not only work but to live abroad for the summer, and in NYC of all places, was a surreal experience, and all thanks to the Saltire Programme.
In 2024, I found out about the Saltire Scholars Programme three days before the deadline. I had competitive sports commitments for those three days and knew I was too late to apply. I made a mental note to myself to apply next year, so when applications were advertised as opening late 2025 for the following summer, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance. I applied and after completing the application and assessment centre I was so excited just to be in the candidate pool.
When the internship post for That’s Nice came up, it was the busiest two weeks of my life: my final draft dissertation was due, I had a teaching examination for dance, a showcase performance at a dance competition and to top it off, I had obtained an interview with That’s Nice.
Fast forward three months and I was getting on a plane at Glasgow Airport and flying to New York City to spend the summer. Working on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, exploring the city after work and at the weekend, meeting new people and experiencing a different culture is only a fraction of my life this summer. It’s hard to explain how much an experience like the one I was lucky enough to have changes you, both professionally and personally, but I know I came home as a better version of myself.
Throughout my time at That’s Nice, I was able to learn about the clinical trials landscape within different sectors of life sciences, and turn this research into market reports, and understanding these trends gave me perspective into the industry which I would never have gained from university alone. As well as carrying out market research, I was able to contribute to Pharma’s Almanac, a life sciences focused publication platform where I was able to create and publish my own article. These skills and experiences are a small part of what I achieved this summer, and they’re proof of how much you can grow and develop professionally when you put yourself out there for opportunities like this one.
To put it plainly, the Saltire Scholars Programme offers something you will never find anywhere else - a chance to put yourself out there and have the best summer, whether abroad or in the UK, as well as developing your employability and career prospects.
The best advice I could give anyone who is considering applying to the Saltire Scholars Programme is - go for it!
