Hello again, everyone!

This week has been extra exciting because I just got back from spending the weekend in Budapest. It is such a beautiful city, and I can honestly say it lived up to all the hype. The architecture was absolutely stunning, from the grand Parliament building to the beautiful streets along the Danube. Of course, no trip would have been complete without trying some traditional Hungarian food. My favorite dishes were definitely the goulash and the chicken paprikash—both were every bit as delicious as I had hoped.

One thing that definitely stood out, though, was the heat. Temperatures reached nearly 40°C, which made sightseeing a little more challenging than expected! Thankfully, one thing I really appreciated was that many major European cities have public drinking water fountains throughout the city. Being able to refill our water bottles whenever we needed was an absolute lifesaver and made exploring in the summer heat much more manageable.

It was an amazing weekend, and it was definitely hard to say goodbye. Every city I have visited during my time here has had its own personality, and Budapest was no exception. Between the food, the history, and simply walking around the city, it was one of those places that I could easily see myself coming back to someday.

Back at work, my internship has been as busy as ever. My model evaluation project is now in full swing, and it has quickly become one of the most interesting projects I have worked on so far. What makes this project unique is how many different teams I get to collaborate with. I have been working with members of the data team, the core modeling team, engineering, and several others throughout the company. It has been fascinating to see how each team approaches the same project from a completely different perspective while still working toward the same goal.

One thing I did not expect to learn during this internship was how much I would observe about leadership. Watching different managers and team leads work has given me a completely new perspective on what makes an effective leader.

Before this internship, I always imagined myself as a very hands-on leader. I pictured someone who was deeply involved in every part of the project, constantly checking in with everyone and making sure things stayed on track. That is how I have naturally approached leadership in group projects throughout school.

What has surprised me here is that many of the leaders I work with take a very different approach. We have a quick daily stand-up meeting where everyone shares what they are working on and discusses any blockers, but after that there is a great deal of trust and independence. Rather than my manager constantly checking on my progress, I am usually the one who goes to her when I have questions, need feedback, or want to discuss my analysis.

At first, that level of autonomy felt unfamiliar, but I have come to really appreciate it. Giving people the freedom to own their work creates an environment where ideas are shared more openly, people are more willing to experiment with different approaches, and everyone takes greater responsibility for their own projects. Instead of feeling like someone is constantly looking over your shoulder, you feel trusted to do your best work. I can definitely see how that contributes not only to better results but also to a healthier and more enjoyable workplace culture.

Another lesson I have noticed is just how important communication is. Every team lead I have worked with has been incredibly clear about expectations, priorities, and next steps. They rarely overcomplicate things. Instead, they communicate exactly what needs to be done, why it matters, and who is responsible. It sounds simple, but seeing it consistently in practice has made me realize that clear communication is one of the most valuable leadership skills someone can have. It is definitely something I want to continue developing myself.

I think one of my biggest takeaways from this internship so far is that learning does not just come from the technical work. Of course, I am continuing to build my data science skills every day, but I am also learning by observing the people around me—the way they communicate, collaborate, solve problems, and lead their teams. Those are lessons that are much harder to learn in a classroom, and I know they will stay with me long after this internship is over.

Overall, it has been another exciting and busy week. Between exploring another incredible European city and continuing to grow through meaningful work, I feel incredibly grateful for everything I have experienced so far. I am excited to keep learning, keep asking questions, and continue working alongside such talented people and inspiring leaders.

Until next time!