Settling in San Diego

My first month in the United States

During my first month in the United States, I have been settling into my internship and adapting to a new work environment. At the same time, I have been discovering more about American culture and daily life. At my host company, I have started learning about the U.S. energy sector. In particular, I have learned how renewable energy assets participate in wholesale power markets such as CAISO and ERCOT. In addition, I have become more familiar with the team’s daily workflow, internal tools, and basic concepts related to forecasting, scheduling, market operations, and asset performance.

More than work…

Outside of work, I have also had the opportunity to explore new places and experience American culture firsthand. For example, one of the highlights of this month was visiting Las Vegas and the Hoover Dam. Seeing the Hoover Dam in person was especially interesting because of its historical and engineering importance. Moreover, it was a great opportunity to connect what I study with a real example of major infrastructure in the U.S. After that, I also enjoyed visiting Las Vegas, walking around the city, seeing its famous hotels, lights, and entertainment areas, and experiencing a very different side of American life.

The Hoover Dam | The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum

In a nutshell…

Overall, my first month has been a very positive experience. On the one hand, I am learning a lot professionally and improving my understanding of the U.S. energy market. On the other hand, I am also adapting to life in California and discovering different cultural aspects of the United States. As a result, ths first month has been both a valuable professional experience and a very enriching personal one.

You can also read more about my internship experience on my blog.