Hello everyone!
I can’t believe this is my last week in Berlin. Time has flown by so quickly—it feels like just yesterday I was packing my bags and getting ready for this adventure.
I wanted to make the most of my final weekend here, and it was everything I could have hoped for. We spent a relaxing afternoon on Peacock Island enjoying the beautiful weather and spotting some amazing wildlife. We ate incredible food, from late-night döner to fresh morning cinnamon rolls, watched a movie at an outdoor theater, and met new people on a night out. It was the perfect reminder of everything I’ve come to love about this city and a truly unforgettable way to spend my last weekend here.
As I wrap up my final week in the office, I’ve also found myself reflecting on the work culture here and how differently ideas like success are viewed. One of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how much work-life balance is genuinely valued. Even though I worked at a fast-paced startup where things were constantly moving, there was still a clear understanding that time off is time off. Paid vacation and sick leave are respected, and when someone is away, they’re expected to disconnect completely. That balance isn’t seen as a lack of ambition—it’s simply part of maintaining a healthy and sustainable way of working.
I’ve also realized that success here seems to be measured by more than just salary or career progression. In the agricultural technology space, of course building a successful business matters, but so does building strong relationships with farmers, understanding the real-world impact of your work, and being able to think critically about the data and models you create. Throughout my internship, I’ve learned that asking why a model behaves the way it does and quickly picking up domain knowledge are just as valuable as technical skills.
Another interesting difference I noticed is the emphasis placed on higher education. In many of the conversations I had, advanced degrees seemed much more common and, for certain roles, almost expected. I imagine part of this comes from education being much more affordable and accessible in many European countries. Compared to the U.S., where relevant experience can sometimes outweigh formal qualifications, it was interesting to see how educational requirements are viewed differently here.
Finally, I’ve noticed a subtle difference in the pace of life. In the U.S., there is often a strong focus on constantly pushing forward, achieving more, and always looking for the next opportunity. Here, that same drive to grow definitely exists, but it’s often balanced with an equal emphasis on enjoying life, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and making space for experiences outside of work. Neither approach is inherently better—they simply reflect different priorities—and it has been really interesting to experience another perspective.
As my time in Germany comes to an end, I’m incredibly grateful for everything this experience has given me. From the technical skills I’ve developed to the people I’ve met and the different ways of thinking I’ve been exposed to, this internship has taught me so much both professionally and personally. It’s truly been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I’m so thankful to everyone who made it possible.
Until next time!
