eliza gulbe, data science intern at courted, new york

In New York we say “New York or nowhere”—and that’s exactly how I feel about my journey here in the United States. It takes a lot of courage to come here: the city moves so fast, and you have to catch up quickly. If you want to step out of your comfort zone, come to New York. For me, this experience has been as much about personal growth as it has been about professional development.
Back in Latvia, I worked for different start-ups, so joining a growing real estate startup, Courted, as part of their data team has felt like a natural but exciting next step. I’ve had the opportunity to work hands-on with Databricks and AWS, strengthening my technical skills while also learning how a company constantly innovates its product and internal operations with AI.

Life outside of work has been just as rich. I’ve had unforgettable moments at the Marshall Chess Club, playing right next to grandmasters, and at the Chess Forum, where games with strangers turn into unexpected connections. With fellow BAFF participants in New York, I’ve explored the city in depth—from walking Manhattan tip to tip, to sampling different cuisines from every corner of the world. Traveling beyond the city has also been a highlight: Miami, Key West, Washington, Boston, and Austin, Texas each offered new perspectives on the U.S.’s diversity and energy.

This journey has pushed me to embrace challenges, find confidence in fast-changing environments, and value resilience. It has also reminded me how important community is—whether among fellow BAFFers or people I’ve met over a game of chess. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building on these experiences, professionally in computer science and personally as I keep exploring everything New York and the U.S. have to offer.