Chicago during Reading Week

Last week, I had the privilege of calling Chicago my home, and what a great week it turned out to be! In this blog, I'll share my exciting adventures during my stay in the Windy City

Kicking off a week-long trip with a midnight rendezvous with a Starbucks table might not be everyone's ideal beginning, but as a student, when budget-friendly shuttle services are scarce, you hop on the first free midnight bus. After a not-so-comfortable night, it was time to embark on my 14-hour journey from EDI to DUB to ORD. Naturally, when I got to my brother's apartment a reunion dinner was in order, and what better way to celebrate than by cheffing up a couple T-bone steaks.

Monday was all about learning how to juggle 2 time zones. I was up and ready answering emails at 6:30 and having an early morning math class with my grandad (He will get an entire blog post soon). The rest of the day was dedicated to academic work, internship assessments, and of course some exercise.

Tuesday brought another day of productivity with work taking center stage in the morning,. In the afternoon, I had a much-needed haircut followed by a stop at the one and only Chick-fil-A and a very humbling leg workout.

Wednesday was highly anticipated. I had the privilege of visiting the Microsoft office in Chicago, where I was blown away by the innovation and the overall coolness of the workspace. And don't even get me started with the views... I was so hypnotized that even studying was enjoyable.

Thursday I was fortunate enough to connect with a fellow St. Andrews alumnus. Over coffee, we discussed internship interviews and applications, and his valuable insights helped me channel my efforts effectively. Following that, I hit the gym and then had the pleasure of attending an extremely fun Chicago Bulls game.

For golf enthusiasts, Friday was a dream come true. I received an invitation to play at the Olympia Fields Golf Club, renowned as the host of every US tournament you can think of, including the most recent BMW championship. The course was nothing short of breathtaking, and the exceptional care I received made it a day to remember. (I have to say I got my butt kicked, well played Nick)

Saturday started with a productive morning routine, including a visit to the gym and a run. As a reward, we got in our mandatory visit to Smith & Wollensky for their famous burger and split pea soup. This was followed by a much-needed siesta followed by some study time. The day finished with a dinner starring my famous tortillas.

Sunday began with a late start, attending mass before rushing to the airport. It was a bittersweet farewell to the vibrant city and the wonderful people I had met during my time in Chicago. The return journey took 16 hours, taking me back to St. Andrews, where an exceptionally busy and cold Monday awaited.

I'll leave you with a quick update of what I'm doing with my life atm:

-Uni: I've got a big derivable coming up and 2 continuous assessments in the next 3 weeks.

-Work: Still at it in Interbrand and Onnit where things are looking promising.

-Golf: We're getting back to it trying to increase time spent on my short game.

-Gym: Focusing a bit more on power atm, trying out some plyo work.

-Internship 2024: Most of my IB applications have been submitted and I am looking at other sectors of both the tech and finance industry after talking with different professionals.