Intern Review

I appreciated the fact that I was trusted with my ability to learn. I have started my work with little knowledge of what I was supposed to do and took some time to pick it up. However, I found the learning very enjoyable and was productive in the other 8 weeks.

My colleagues listened to my ideas thoroughly and gave very constructive criticisms. My line manager appreciated some of my ideas and was keen to use them in defining the key components of the project. I feel like I was given the freedom to think creatively and appreciated for the eagerness to do it.

Especially at the beginning of my internship, when I had large gaps in my knowledge, my teammates would be very keen to explain things to me and point me towards courses and online resources which were most adequate. They were happy to spend a lot of time with me and I am really grateful for this.

I was working hard but not overworking myself. The training I was taking was challenging but the team was understanding and let me take my time to complete it. I feel like there might have been more oversight of what I was doing - I worked because I found it interesting not because I was strictly watched. Of course that's a good thing but not sure It would work always.

My task was very open ended. Given a general objective I was supposed to define it more precisely and find, learn and implement the tools necessary for fulfilling it. My component of the project has defined the next steps of the whole project to some extent. I have also written down a few ideas which might be implemented when I'm gone.

I have learned a lot about the theory and practice of programming and gained knowledge about python. I have taken a few basic courses in programming and a few more advanced ones in statistics and machine learning. Some of these skills are relevant for my degree now but most of them will become relevant in my graduate studies.

The atmosphere in my office was very friendly, I quickly developed bonds with my teammates and it was obvious to me that their relations with themselves were also very good. We would have lunch together and also meet for out-of-office activities. I feel that this positive atmosphere made people keen to ask for advice and help.

My time within the team wasn't very structured. After doing my training I was assigned to a project and given open-ended tasks. I didn't have a clear list of tasks to complete but instead was monitored by my line manager in a less formal way. I think it was a good way to go about it.

I was given a lot of time to complete the relevant training, I have definitely learned a lot.

Quite appealing. I appreciate the good work-life balance here. There aren't many places which manage to combine it with stimulating and difficult tasks. The friendly and non-competitive atmosphere appeals to me and assures me that the job would be good for my mental health. Those perks to a large degree compensate for a salary which is lower than that in the private sector.

It was OK, we had a couple outings together but cliques formed rapidly. I liked the kind of people I met, I don't think one can expect it to be any better than that.

Wonderfully low (for London!), the rent in the area nearby is very much not what I'd expect, same for food and drink prices. The canteen at work was great and cheap. I was very glad to find that I managed to save much more than I expected from the internship.

Cheaper than usual, also a bit more dodgy.

Sure, because it is London.