Not A Goodbye!

This is the Closing Chapter! However, the story continues😀

My friend (and colleague) Ola messaged me and asked, “Eden, how do you feel, that your internship at HOTOSM is ending soon?” I took a long pause to answer that 🥹.

As the curtains draw close on this chapter of my professional journey, I find myself reflecting on colourful experiences, lessons, and memories that have defined my time as an intern at HOTOSM.

It’s been 3 months already!?🥹 Like someone rightly said “time goes by quickly, when you are having fun”. I’m usually the type of person that looks forward to the end of a thing because I learnt to always finish what I started. But this time, it felt weird! A mix of nostalgia and anticipation.

I love it at HOT and I will forever cherish my time here; where every encounter was a lesson and every challenge a stepping stone. The vision, the community, the staff, the enriching days of inspiring coffee chats, talks with my favourite colleague, the opportunities, the work I did, and my wonderful mentor, Petya Kangalova.

Throughout these past 3 months, I’ve been privileged to be guided by the most amazing mentor ever, Petya Kangalova, who generously shared wisdom, resources, expertise, and opportunities for me to grow. Each day presented a fresh “GO!” for me to experiment, iterate and grow. From navigating the complexities of projects to engaging in insightful conversations on Mondays (and other days). Every moment has contributed to my development as a professional and my confidence as an individual.

What’s next?

I’m proud of myself for the work I did, and the initiatives I took in an attempt to maximise my time with HOT. I got really sweet feedback that will forever keep me motivated. And the story continues, it doesn’t end now. Not anytime soon. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a co-mentor for the next round of Outreachy internship at HOTOSM.

Part of what’s next for me is to continue contributing to HOT’s open source project, with a special interest in HOT’s fAIr software. fAIr is an open AI-assisted mapping service software, that aims to improve the efficiency and accuracy of mapping efforts for humanitarian purposes.

If you’re a beginner to open source and don’t know where to start, but excited to do so, I recommend joining the HOT Tech and Innovation Working Group to learn and grow your skill, within an inclusive community. And If you want to get your hands busy right away, check for “good first issues” or “beginner friendly issues” at the HOT Github page.

You can also watch this comprehensive video guide on how to contribute to HOTOSM open source projects on Github. Listen to our active contributors share their experience contributing to HOT’s open source project.

C’est fini – but it is also a new beginning. With a heart of gratitude and determination, I step forward, eager to embrace the next challenge, and open to the endless possibilities that await beyond the threshold of familiarity.

Special thank you to my mentor, Petya Kangalova. Thank you HOTOSM, Outreachy internship – you have been more than a chapter; you have been a transformational point in my professional journey, guiding me towards the horizon of endless possibilities.

If this is your first time reading my diary, please catch up with my previous blogs here or connect with me and reach out via X @edenxcodes to stay updated on my next steps.

Till next time,
Eden.