Brian Matoke reflects on his transformative years in Hungary, where he forged meaningful relationships and gained invaluable academic and cultural experiences. As he prepares to return to Kenya, he envisions building a hub for innovation in artificial intelligence and machine learning, aiming to foster international collaboration and create opportunities for others in the tech world.
A Home Away from Home
Hungary has been my home for the past few years. It’s where I’ve studied, grown, and most importantly, met some of the most brilliant and genuine people I’ve ever known. Through shared experiences, academic challenges, and everyday life, I’ve built strong connections that I don’t intend to let go of. We’ve made sure to exchange contacts, and we’ll keep checking in, sharing opportunities, and calling each other from time to time. These friendships and networks are not something I’m leaving behind. They’re part of who I’ve become.
Staying Connected Beyond Graduation
As I move on, I’ve made sure to leave all my contact information behind. Anyone from the university, be it students, professors, or the administration, is free to reach out. Whether it’s about the research we did this year, the thesis work, or just to stay in touch, I’m available. Being an alumnus feels like a turning point. One journey ends and another begins, but the ties remain.
Returning Home with a Vision
I’m returning to Kenya with an open mind. I’m looking forward to new opportunities, especially in the areas of research, possible PhD programs, or professional roles in machine learning and artificial intelligence. My goal is not just to apply what I’ve learned, but to build something that creates opportunities for others as well. I want to open doors for international collaboration, especially in tech development.
Building a Future Tech Hub
In the next five years, I see myself establishing a technical space back home. It might be a hub, a research center, or a training institution where people can come to learn and grow in the fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning. A space where knowledge is shared, ideas are built on, and people have access to tools and guidance they need to participate in the global tech space.
Challenges and Growth
Looking back, my experience in Hungary was mixed at the beginning. It wasn’t easy adjusting to a new country, a different culture, and a language I didn’t speak. But with time, I found my rhythm. I met people who were kind, curious, and welcoming. People who were open to learning about my culture just as much as I was trying to understand theirs. That openness helped me feel like I belonged.
Learning to Speak Hungarian—and Life Lessons
Hungarian is a tough language, no doubt about it. But like anything in life, if you give it time and effort, it starts to make sense. You grow into it. That’s been the story of my whole experience here. You never know what something can become until you give it a real try. And stepping out of my home country gave me the space to learn skills and gain experiences I wouldn’t trade for anything.
A Commitment to the Future of AI
I believe that vision intelligence, AI, and the technologies around them are the future. I want to be part of that future, not just as a user or observer, but as someone who helps build it. All thanks to Hungary for giving me that starting point.
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