Life after Estonia: Catching up with Digital Explorers alumni

All four have made significant professional progress, from landing new contracts to pursuing further education.

Aicha Myriam Mbongo said that she returned home feeling empowered and more confident. Currently, she is spending her time networking and working on various projects. “Digital Explorers has been instrumental in preparing me for future opportunities. The exposure to international work environments and advanced technologies has given me a broader perspective on my career path. It has also helped me build confidence, not just in my technical abilities but in presenting myself professionally during interviews and networking events,” said Mbongo. “Adding this experience to my CV helped me secure interviews. The programme has made me more competitive in the job market and opened doors to new possibilities.”

Virginia Wanjiru is also keeping busy, as she managed to land four web development contracts upon returning home. “These days, I do one project at a time—mostly a solid workday from 8 AM to 5 PM. It is flexible, and I enjoy the work,” said Wanjiru. Like Mbongo, she is also working on building her professional network.

Professional contacts were a game changer for Kendi Njera, who scored a job thanks to a referral. “The job search was exhausting, and it was hard to stay motivated after a while. In the end, I was fortunate to get a referral from a school friend, and I am thankful for that. It reminded me how important it is to keep in touch with people from your network,” said Njera, who is currently working as a junior software developer for a consulting firm. 

“My day-to-day activities revolve around software development, where I collaborate with cross-functional teams to create and maintain software products tailored to assist our clients. In addition to development work, I frequently prepare and deliver presentations. This involves breaking down complex technical concepts and communicating them in a way that non-technical audiences can easily understand,” Njera explained. 

Digital Explorer programme as springboard to developing new skills

Personal growth has not been limited to their careers. Mbongo and Wanjiru have started taking driving lessons in Kenya. “There's something exciting about finally getting behind the wheel on my own,” Wanjiru said. “Steering one´s life is definitely thrilling!” 

Baranaba Mugabane is progressing on his chosen track, having begun his master’s in Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Societies at Tallinn University. Alongside his studies, he works as a software developer at the University’s Centre for Educational Technology. “I develop AI-powered solutions to enhance educational experiences. My work involves a lot of problem-solving, collaboration with colleagues and applying AI in innovative ways to improve learning tools,” Mugabane said. He is happy with the way his life is headed. “It has been a smooth transition, allowing me to continue working on exciting AI-driven educational technology projects,” he added.

All the Explorers share a passion for upskilling, a key ingredient for career advancement. Wanjiru is tackling the challenge of learning a new language, the notoriously tricky Finnish language. “I know what you're thinking — why Finnish and not Estonian, given my time in Estonia? Well, Estonian isn't available on Duolingo yet! Finnish was the closest option, and I figured it might open up some unique opportunities down the line. It's definitely a challenge, but I'm enjoying the process,” Wanjiru said. 

“Upskilling is a priority for me, and I’ve been actively pursuing digital marketing as an area of interest alongside my tech projects,” Mbongo added.

Explorer network and friendships continue on in Kenya

Spending four months in Tallinn together created a strong bond between the Explorers, who are still cheering each other on. “We’ve created a strong network where we exchange opportunities and ideas through WhatsApp groups specifically formed for sharing job opportunities and industry insights. We also collaborate on small projects,” Mbongo said.

Mugabane noted that their friendship didn’t end once they left Estonia. “The Explorer spirit is still very much alive. We recently had a reunion in Kenya, which involved a lot of adrenaline-filled paintballing and go-karting! Beyond that, we have continued to collaborate on meaningful projects. Recently, Khalifa, Cindy, Abigael, and I teamed up for an EthGlobal hackathon, where we were thrilled to be among the eight finalists and win several prizes, including cash rewards,” he said.

Explorers say that besides improving their technical skills, they learned how to work as part of a team. 

“Looking back, I can see how much the programme boosted my skills across the board. My communication has improved dramatically, both in writing and speaking. I'm much more comfortable in social situations now, whether I'm interacting online or in person. And when it comes to teamwork? Let's just say I've become a pro at collaborating in remote settings as well as face-to-face. But here's what really surprised me: I discovered I can now confidently give client presentations to audiences without breaking a sweat. It's like a whole new me stepped out of that programme. Who knew I had it in me to stand up and pitch ideas to a room full of people,” Wanjiru said. 

Njera also appreciates her improved professional communication skills: “The Digital Explorers programme definitely shaped the way I approach teamwork. Collaborating with people from different backgrounds and cultures taught me a lot about the importance of clear communication and being adaptable. I learned how to really listen to others and find common ground, which has helped me work better with different teams. It also made me realise how crucial empathy is in collaboration, making sure everyone feels heard and working together to tackle challenges.”

Explorers say they experienced reverse culture shock when returning home, which is a common occurrence after internships abroad. “Oh, it was an adjustment! The weather was the first big shock, and things like waiting forever to cross the road took some getting used to. But it was so nice to be back around my family. I’d really missed my friends and, of course, the food,” Njera said.  

“Oh, definitely a bit of reverse culture shock! After breathing the crisp air of Tallinn, Nairobi felt a bit more congested. But I missed the vibrant hustle and bustle of Nairobi's streets. There's always some action in the next corner or alley. But, all in all, it felt like coming back home to a place that’s constantly evolving,” Mugabane said.

Wanjiru said that she had to, first and foremost, reconnect with her social side, as it had started to fade a bit. “It felt nice coming back home to see my friends and family. I am happy that I carried home essential qualities such as work ethic, punctuality and what Adala, one of the Explorers, calls ‘locking in’ to get things done as soon as possible,” she said.

These individual stories are a testament to the value of international internships in shaping promising futures for young professionals. The community continues to grow as new Explorers begin their journeys. Five Nigerians and two Kenyans, selected through the data analytics internship track, are getting ready to relocate to Lithuania and are already working remotely with three Lithuanian companies.

Digital Explorers II is the first joint Baltic development cooperation project implemented by the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV), Latvia’s Startin.LV, and OSMOS in Lithuania. The project is co-funded by the European Union via the Migration Partnership Facility of ICMPD. 

This blog was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union, and ICMPD contracted it through the Migration Partnership Facility. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of VŠI “OSMOS Global Partnerships”. It cannot be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union and the ICMPD.