kristers saulitis, Data Science intern at Northwell Health, New York

New York has made me have once in a lifetime experiences once every week.

I have had the pleasure to work together with the award-winning Orthopedic research team in Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institute. My work has included data pipeline creation, statistical work and in-depth analysis of health data. Though there are numerous professional and technical lessons learned, what I want to pass on is this: be curious and ask questions! This truly helped me to support my colleagues and create new ideas to raise the bar in medical research.

Then there is the big apple in the room… it’s New York or nowhere! I could not imagine this city without friends, a copy of New Yorker magazine, a bike, and never ending music! From helping to host different celebrations to biking the perimeter of Manhattan, there is an abundance of memories on every avenue, every street. If you look hard enough, there is also a Baltic street in Brooklyn, which is very symbolic of my time here.

Stepping back from the concrete jungle has also allowed me to see the true scale of the US: from the desert in Nevada and Utah to the rainforest in Puerto Rico. I am deeply thankful to have experienced this alongside fellow BAFF participants.

My biggest takeaway is learning to be intentional - spend your time how you want it and work hard for what you want to achieve. And to all future BAFF participants: this is a build-your-own adventure. Stay true to yourself, work hard, and make the most of every opportunity.