Studying at NYU Abu Dhabi fundamentally transformed me — not just as a student, but as a person. Living away from home for the first time in a vibrant and diverse community taught me to appreciate different perspectives, allowed me to become friends with peers around the globe, and pushed me to become more independent and courageous in everything I do. At the same time, NYUAD provided me with a world-class education in computer science, challenging me to think critically and develop strong technical skills. My admiration for the intellectual rigor and global exposure that NYUAD offers led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship.
Interestingly, until the summer after my junior year, I was confident in my plans to join the industry after graduation as a software engineer. I had taken machine learning courses before but didn’t see AI as my career. That changed when my SWE internship offer in New York was unexpectedly revoked. My search for alternative summer opportunities led me to my summer research internship at MBZUAI, where I worked in a team on a computer vision project to generate 3D avatar generation from custom text prompts. The internship proved to be a standout experience that made me consider that I want to study AI further. Later that summer, I also completed an internship at Zendy, a Dubai-based company, where I got to experience how AI can also aid in industry. Being a student at NYUAD certainly helped a lot to benefit from these research and career opportunities. My undergraduate experiences at NYUAD of taking advanced ML courses, learning Spanish and French languages, participating in international seminars, and study away across Singapore, Paris, and New York also helped to strengthen my CV.
Home Region: Kokshetau, Kazakhstan
Current: Master’s Student in the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Artificial Intelligence (EMAI)
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Major: Computer Science
Currently, I’m pursuing the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s in Artificial Intelligence (EMAI). I chose this program because of its strong focus on collaborative learning across multiple institutions and its emphasis on research in advanced AI topics. During my Master’s degree, I will study AI at Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona, Spain), Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands), and Sapienza University of Rome (Rome, Italy) with a summer school at University College London (London, UK). When I first learned about the program, I felt it was the perfect next step for me. I enjoy exploring the complexities and potential of AI together with its interdisciplinary nature, combining mathematics, programming, logic, and creativity. Additionally, I love the international aspect of my studies. Traveling as part of this program with new friends or solo brings back memories of fall and spring breaks at NYUAD.
Upon completing my Master’s, I hope to work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and social impact or continue with a PhD in AI. I am confident that I am well prepared for whatever the future holds for me.