From Bulgary to Baseflow: Finding my place as a women in tech

This article was originally written in Dutch.

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I still remember the moment I thought, “I want to do this.” I was sixteen, watching an episode of The Fosters. One of those American teen dramas with a bit of romance, a bit of chaos, and, unexpectedly, a girl who built robots and wrote code like it was the most natural thing in the world. She wasn’t a stereotype or a side character. She was smart, confident, and doing something she clearly loved. I thought she was amazing. And from that point on, something stuck with me: I wanted to become a software developer. Even if, back then, I didn’t quite know what that actually meant.

During high school, I started leaning into tech more and more. I took electives that involved programming. We worked with Microsoft tools, and I genuinely enjoyed it. What made a huge difference, in hindsight, was that all my teachers in those classes were women. At the time, I didn’t fully realize how rare or important that was. But looking back, it shaped everything. It meant I never questioned whether I belonged in tech. It felt like an open space, one where I could just be myself, without having to prove I deserved to be there.

I knew early on that I wanted to study abroad. Not because I desperately wanted to leave Bulgaria, but because I was curious. I wanted to experience a different kind of education and build a life on my own terms. My ideal country had to offer English-taught programs, affordable tuition, and the ability to live independently, not tucked away on some campus, but really part of the city.

For a while, Denmark seemed like the best option. But the math requirements for university there were much higher than what my school offered, so I had to look elsewhere. That’s how I found Saxion University of Applied Sciences in Enschede, the Netherlands. I chose Applied Computer Science, a perfect mix of software and hardware, and felt excited to begin.

What I didn’t fully realize was that I’d be starting my new life right in the middle of a global pandemic. No welcome week, no lunch breaks with classmates, no “hey, do you know where this classroom is” conversations. Everything was online. Everyone was distant. My first year was hard. I felt isolated. But it also taught me to push through. And in my second year, things slowly started to shift. I found my rhythm. I started to feel stronger, more at home.

And that’s when I found Baseflow.

When I applied for my internship at Baseflow, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. I hoped it would be a good place, but I also prepared myself for a more “just be professional, learn quietly, don’t rock the boat” kind of experience. Instead, it felt right from the very first day.

What struck me immediately was how approachable everyone was. Whether someone had ten years of experience or had just joined the team, they made time to talk. People didn’t treat me like the intern. They listened to my perspective, asked what I thought, and genuinely wanted me to feel included.

But maybe the most important thing was this: I didn’t feel like I had to prove anything just to belong. I could be myself. I was allowed to learn, to make mistakes, to ask questions. It felt safe.

In those first few weeks, I had a lot of conversations with people about who I was and how I got here. One question that stuck with me was, “What do you need to feel like you’re in the right place?” That wasn’t just small talk. It came from something bigger. At Baseflow, we’re all part of an ongoing journey to build not just good software, but a genuinely great place to work. Not in the sense of ticking boxes or offering cool perks, but through real, thoughtful conversations. We talk about what it means to grow, to lead, to feel safe, to be seen. And we don’t pretend to have all the answers. That’s exactly the point.

One thing that’s meant a lot to me is the Women Support Women circle at Baseflow. It was created to give all women here a space to connect, share openly, and empower each other. Working in a male-dominated field makes it even more important to have that kind of community, a place where you can show up just as you are, talk honestly about the things you face, and know there are others who understand.

Our goal is to create a supportive, empowering environment where we can lean on each other, grow, and exchange skills that help us navigate challenges. Whether they’re related to work or life. Through this circle, we aim to strengthen our confidence and build a network of women who feel inspired and supported. It’s not a formal initiative with schedules or KPIs. It’s something real, built on trust, and it’s become an essential part of how I experience Baseflow.

What’s become more and more clear to me over time is that Baseflow is a learning company, not just in tech, but in how we build culture. We don’t just iterate on code. We iterate on ourselves. I see it in the way people give feedback, in the kinds of questions we ask each other, and in the space that’s made for personal growth.

That’s made me realize something important: I’m not just here to do a job. I’m part of a process. A shared effort to figure out how we can make this workplace the best version of itself. Not just for me, but for everyone who joins, now and in the future.

I still have questions. About how to be a great teammate, how to create space for others, how to lead with empathy. But I feel safe asking those questions here. I’m invited to learn, and I’m encouraged to speak up about what I see too. That’s how we build something better, together.

That doesn’t mean everything’s figured out. We’re still learning how to be the kind of company we want to be. And honestly, that’s what makes it exciting.

One of the things I struggled with most at first was the Dutch directness. Coming from Bulgaria, I was used to feedback that came wrapped in five layers of politeness. Here, someone might just say, “This isn’t working,” and move on. I’ll admit, the first few times that happened, I wasn’t sure how to take it. But over time, I began to see the value. It’s not meant to hurt you. It’s meant to help. It’s clear, honest, and efficient. And once you get used to it, it actually starts to feel freeing. It’s helped me become more confident, not just as a developer but as a communicator and collaborator.

If I had to describe what Baseflow means to me in one sentence, I’d say this: it’s a place where I’m not only allowed to grow, I’m part of something that’s growing too.

And if this is what it feels like to be part of a company that’s learning how to become the best employer it can be, then I’m really glad I joined the journey.

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