Anastasiia is our Talent Management Coordinator. As part of her responsibility to support our early careers and relationships with university partners, she recently spent time in our Bidart, France office. Hear about her trip here:
In April, I had the chance to visit our Bidart office, on the Basque coast in the south of France and I’m still thinking about it.
Before this trip, I had seen pictures. Beautiful ones. But nothing really prepares you for what it feels like to be there. The ocean, the mountains, the fresh air, even in cold, windy, rainy weather, there’s something about the place that just stays with you. It wasn’t just my first business trip... it was my first time seeing the ocean in real life and honestly, it made the whole experience even more special.
Of course, I was there to work. We spent the week filming new episodes of our Our Talents, Our DNA series, meeting with my team, and collaborating with colleagues from across functions. We also welcomed 15 students from ESTIA, combining something we had never done before in Bidart - a full on-site experience with an introduction to SOPHiA GENETICS, a hands-on workshop, and networking over pizza.
The space itself reflects the environment around it, bright, open, and full of light. What really stayed with me was the way people welcomed me. It didn’t feel like I was visiting another office, it felt like I had always been part of it. Colleagues I had never worked with before took the time to meet, chat, and include me in their day. Lunches were shared around one table, with people from different teams coming together, talking, laughing, and simply enjoying the moment.
It created something really special, a sense of closeness and belonging that you don’t always expect when you arrive somewhere new. And that’s what made the experience even more meaningful.
Outside of the work itself, the location adds something you don’t expect at first. The Basque coast is one of those places that stays with you. Surfing isn’t just a hobby here it’s part of daily life. Bidart is known for its strong surf culture, surf schools, and local community built around the ocean. One of the most famous waves in the region, Parlementia, attracts surfers from around the world and is even considered part of the area’s natural heritage. The Basque Country itself has a strong identity and culture, known for its traditions, food, and sense of community, something you can feel in everyday life, not just in tourist spots.
If you’re looking for a place where you can grow, contribute, and enjoy where you are at the same time, our team in Bidart might be the new place for you to call home?’
- France
