The third Into Science Seminar Retreat took place once again in the picturesque setting of Lake Neusiedl.  Designed specifically for early-stage researchers, the retreat offered participants a valuable opportunity to connect with their peers. Main activities focused on building connections, presenting effective elevator talks, reflecting on the question ‘What is science?’, and discussing personal motivations for pursuing a career in research. In this interdisciplinary environment, PhD candidates were encouraged early on to communicate their research to peers from a broader audience with diverse academic backgrounds.This fostered the development of clear communication skills, crucial not only for collaboration across fields but also for effectively communicating science to society. The retreat also highlighted the important role of supervision in the PhD journey. Both the perspectives of being supervised and supervising were explored, with discussions focusing on expectation management, and building supportive, constructive working relationships.