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The people were extremely friendly and this allowed me to feel comfortable right away having never worked in an office setting before. The work I was set was challenging and engaging and this made the time pass very quickly. I was never bored and the intern community combined with the myriad of activities on offer at BP meant that there was something to do in and outside of work.

It was made clear from the start the business value of the work I was set. I therefore had a clear goal of what I was trying to achieve and how I was contributing to the company. I then had to present my work to several senior colleagues who in turn went on to present it to other employees at the company. This made me feel valued and important and a big motivator to work hard and consistently.

The support at BP was truly excellent. I was provided with a supervisor as well as a line manager and mentor. The supervisor spent a large amount of time with me detailing what I had to do and showing me the ropes but then allowing me the freedom to take my project in any direction that I found interesting. HR are constantly in contact and listen to your concerns if any arise.

The work tended to occur in blocks. Some weeks I could be extremely busy with several presentations to give as well as meetings to attend and training sessions. Other weeks could be slower, involving no deadlines, but even during these there was always work to be done which kept me engaged. The work was never overwhelming and there was never any pressure to be in the office for longer than I felt necessary to complete my work.

I was given a large amount of responsibility, so much that it surprised me. After seven weeks I was being given tasks that were normally handled by senior employees and involved making decisions on projects that the company had a huge amount of financial investment in. I was also kept up to date with the inside workings of the company and never felt like information was being withheld from me.

Coming from a physics background the skills I obtained during my internship will prove invaluable. I get very few chances to present during my degree whereas I was regularly asked to present to a large and varied audience at BP, which I can only imagine coming in very useful. My project was also very much like a lab project so I feel that this experience will translate very well when I start doing my masters projects this year.

The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable. There was never any pressure to get tasks done in a rushed manner as managers have full confidence that work will be completed on time and to a high standard. The office has a fantastic canteen area where the entire workforce can mingle and socialise. There is subsidised food and regular free meals.

I was issued with an internship outline before I arrived at BP. This set out what section of the company I was going to be working in, what my project was and how I would progress through it. The internship stuck to this outline very well and I never felt confused or frustrated at a lack of direction. I was always given objectives to complete in the upcoming week and told what I would be doing afterwards so I could organise my own time efficiently.

We had several days outside of the office where we learned additional skills which helped me to improve my learning base. There were presentation skills days as well as multiple committees that we could join and manage. There was also an outreach day where the interns went and supported members of the local community. Dinners out and social events constantly made us feel like we were important to the company. The only downside is that a couple of training days concerning future job roles were cancelled. This could well have been due to the major downturn in oil price during my time at BP and therefore outside of the companies control.

I would relish and treasure the opportunity to work at BP in the future. The company has been extremely open and welcoming and made me feel like a place I would be happy to start my working career at. The financial benefits are also substantial as well as the opportunity to improve and further myself as an employee and with a look towards my further career.

The social scene on my placement was excellent. Being based in one of the most vibrant cities in the world meant that there was always something to do and the people I was placed with were always extremely enthusiastic about trying new things and exploring the city. From regular nights out to meals and impromptu karaoke events my fellow interns made the internship a pleasure and people I would be glad to work with in the future if given an opportunity.

Living in London is EXPENSIVE, The BP site I worked out is situated on the outskirts of the city but it was still extremely expensive to live and socialise in the area. Coming from a northern university I was shocked to find that my rent was basically double what it is in Manchester. Cycling to work and linking my rail card to my oyster card did bring down the cost of travel but it was still far more expensive than I am used to. Don't get me started on the £5+ pints.

It's London, there's something for everyone. The nightlife was entertaining and varied. There was always something to go to and let loose after a long week at work. The only issue was that we were situated in Twickenham which was a long way away from central London nightlife. This could involve a long train into the city and then an expensive taxi back. Though it was always worth it and the internship pay is easily enough to justify the expense.

BP had a wide range of outside of work activities to get involved in. I joined the BP run club which met every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime and was a fantastic way to meet people, get fit and change scene before an afternoon of work. BP provides subsidised membership to their sports club across the road along with multiple classes like circuits and spin. Racquet sports are also encouraged and supported with badminton, tennis and squash courts all on site.