Imagine going from working with data in Mali to building a drone that protects bird from collisions with aircrafts — all in just four weeks in Moscow. That’s exactly what happened to Zeid Ombotimbe during the InteRussia STEM Fellowship at Skoltech in autumn 2025. He came with a dream about the university, left with new friends from 12 countries, memories of crazy nights in the lab, and “InteRussia Fellow” on his CV opening new doors. Now he’s set on getting a Master’s here. This is how a month in Russia can change your whole professional trajectory.
“Applying for the Fellowship Was an Easy Choice”
Before heading to Russia, I was working at Perasus (ex Quantidum), a data consultancy, where I focused on building real-time data pipelines and moving legacy systems to the cloud for clients in telecom and insurance. Applying for the fellowship was an easy choice because of Skoltech. I’d actually been eyeing a Master’s degree there for a while, so when I saw that InteRussia program was designed in partnership with them, I knew I had to go. It was the perfect chance to finally see in person the place I’d been dreaming about.
“It Gave Me A ‘Bird’s Eye View’ of What High-Level Research Looks Like”
The fellowship, especially Skoltech’s Innovation Workshop, an intensive four-week course that bridges the gap between innovation and entrepreneurship, gave me a “bird’s eye view” of what high-level research and development actually look like. Coming from a heavy industry background in data engineering, I started to see how my technical skills could apply to much more experimental, interdisciplinary work. It shifted my perspective toward research, showing me that it’s not just about the final code, but about the cycle of failing, learning, and iterating until something sticks.
My team worked on a bio-inspired drone equipped with computer vision designed to prevent avian collisions. We had to integrate everything from aerodynamics to real-time image processing. It was an intense, end-to-end process of building a functional autonomous system from scratch. That experience was so impactful that I’m now looking to return to Skoltech for a full degree to keep exploring the intersection of data and autonomous research.
The lectures I attended by professors like Dmitry Kulish were great for understanding the innovation framework. Outside the classroom, the visit to the VK office, Russia’s biggest social network and tech platform, and the sessions at the National Center Russia really stood out because they showed the scale of the Russian tech ecosystem.
But honestly, the most memorable parts weren't just the formal meetings, it was the energy in the labs during “The Prototype Week” of the Innovation Workshop, where we had to translate our ideas into working project prototypes. Staying up late with the team in the lab, trying to turn our “hunch” into a full-fledged model, created a bond that transformed us from random teammates into genuine friends.
“The People Were the Best Part”
It was my first time visiting Russia, but I already had a sense of the place because of my father. He always spoke about how friendly the people were and told me stories about the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University. I really wanted to see the campus for myself since it's named after an African hero, but our schedule was just too packed to get there.
Outside of that, I was surprised by how much is happening in Moscow at all hours. There is a real pace to life there that you only get to know by being on the ground. I loved seeing the mix of old architecture right next to modern tech hubs. The city felt safe and welcoming, and Moscow has an energy that's hard to describe if you haven't seen it. It was an honor to finally experience the culture firsthand after only hearing about it for so many years.
The people were the best part. I actually already had about a dozen Russian friends before the trip, but we didn’t think we’d be meeting up so soon. I managed to surprise them and I even pulled a few pranks when we met up!
Beyond my old friends, everyone I met during the program was incredibly welcoming. Within the fellowship, we went from being total strangers to a tight-knit group. It wasn't just about the work; we had the funniest times together, and that social bond made the long hours in the lab feel like a hobby rather than an actual project.
“What Doesn’t Kill Your Project Makes It Stronger”
Professionally, the biggest takeaway was the “Quick Success” mindset, learning to prototype rapidly and bridge the gap between a technical idea and a real-world application. Academically, the program solidified my desire to pursue a Master's degree. I learned that what doesn’t kill your project makes it stronger, and that the dedication required to pull off a complex project in four weeks is the sum of the small efforts every team member puts in. I’ve also built strong professional ties with the professors and specialists. These aren't just names on a business card; they are people who changed how I view research and engineering.
This opportunity definitely gave my CV a huge boost. Since coming back, I’ve been busy working and applying to new programs, and I can tell that having “InteRussia STEM Fellow” on my profile opens news doors. The program gave me the confidence to aim higher with my goals, especially regarding my plans to return to Skoltech for a Master's. I’m already seeing positive momentum and I’m sure more results are on the way.
On a personal level, the other fellows became real-life friends. We shared a very intense, high-energy month, and that kind of shared “struggle” to get a full-fledged project creates a lasting network. Having those connections across different countries and fields is invaluable now that I’m back home.
“It Changes the Way You Think”
My advice is to go for it and stay open to everything the program offers you. Don't just focus on one particular side; focus on the people and the environment. You’ll probably face moments where things don't go as planned, but that's where you learn the most. Use the time to build a network and see how things are done in a different part of the world; it changes the way you think.
“Applying for the Fellowship Was an Easy Choice”
Before heading to Russia, I was working at Perasus (ex Quantidum), a data consultancy, where I focused on building real-time data pipelines and moving legacy systems to the cloud for clients in telecom and insurance. Applying for the fellowship was an easy choice because of Skoltech. I’d actually been eyeing a Master’s degree there for a while, so when I saw that InteRussia program was designed in partnership with them, I knew I had to go. It was the perfect chance to finally see in person the place I’d been dreaming about.
“It Gave Me A ‘Bird’s Eye View’ of What High-Level Research Looks Like”
The fellowship, especially Skoltech’s Innovation Workshop, an intensive four-week course that bridges the gap between innovation and entrepreneurship, gave me a “bird’s eye view” of what high-level research and development actually look like. Coming from a heavy industry background in data engineering, I started to see how my technical skills could apply to much more experimental, interdisciplinary work. It shifted my perspective toward research, showing me that it’s not just about the final code, but about the cycle of failing, learning, and iterating until something sticks.
My team worked on a bio-inspired drone equipped with computer vision designed to prevent avian collisions. We had to integrate everything from aerodynamics to real-time image processing. It was an intense, end-to-end process of building a functional autonomous system from scratch. That experience was so impactful that I’m now looking to return to Skoltech for a full degree to keep exploring the intersection of data and autonomous research.
The lectures I attended by professors like Dmitry Kulish were great for understanding the innovation framework. Outside the classroom, the visit to the VK office, Russia’s biggest social network and tech platform, and the sessions at the National Center Russia really stood out because they showed the scale of the Russian tech ecosystem.
But honestly, the most memorable parts weren't just the formal meetings, it was the energy in the labs during “The Prototype Week” of the Innovation Workshop, where we had to translate our ideas into working project prototypes. Staying up late with the team in the lab, trying to turn our “hunch” into a full-fledged model, created a bond that transformed us from random teammates into genuine friends.
“The People Were the Best Part”
It was my first time visiting Russia, but I already had a sense of the place because of my father. He always spoke about how friendly the people were and told me stories about the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University. I really wanted to see the campus for myself since it's named after an African hero, but our schedule was just too packed to get there.
Outside of that, I was surprised by how much is happening in Moscow at all hours. There is a real pace to life there that you only get to know by being on the ground. I loved seeing the mix of old architecture right next to modern tech hubs. The city felt safe and welcoming, and Moscow has an energy that's hard to describe if you haven't seen it. It was an honor to finally experience the culture firsthand after only hearing about it for so many years.
The people were the best part. I actually already had about a dozen Russian friends before the trip, but we didn’t think we’d be meeting up so soon. I managed to surprise them and I even pulled a few pranks when we met up!
Beyond my old friends, everyone I met during the program was incredibly welcoming. Within the fellowship, we went from being total strangers to a tight-knit group. It wasn't just about the work; we had the funniest times together, and that social bond made the long hours in the lab feel like a hobby rather than an actual project.
“What Doesn’t Kill Your Project Makes It Stronger”
Professionally, the biggest takeaway was the “Quick Success” mindset, learning to prototype rapidly and bridge the gap between a technical idea and a real-world application. Academically, the program solidified my desire to pursue a Master's degree. I learned that what doesn’t kill your project makes it stronger, and that the dedication required to pull off a complex project in four weeks is the sum of the small efforts every team member puts in. I’ve also built strong professional ties with the professors and specialists. These aren't just names on a business card; they are people who changed how I view research and engineering.
This opportunity definitely gave my CV a huge boost. Since coming back, I’ve been busy working and applying to new programs, and I can tell that having “InteRussia STEM Fellow” on my profile opens news doors. The program gave me the confidence to aim higher with my goals, especially regarding my plans to return to Skoltech for a Master's. I’m already seeing positive momentum and I’m sure more results are on the way.
On a personal level, the other fellows became real-life friends. We shared a very intense, high-energy month, and that kind of shared “struggle” to get a full-fledged project creates a lasting network. Having those connections across different countries and fields is invaluable now that I’m back home.
“It Changes the Way You Think”
My advice is to go for it and stay open to everything the program offers you. Don't just focus on one particular side; focus on the people and the environment. You’ll probably face moments where things don't go as planned, but that's where you learn the most. Use the time to build a network and see how things are done in a different part of the world; it changes the way you think.
