🎓 From Komi to Kazan: Building a Champion Team at Kazan Federal University
Role: Founder & Team Leader
Location: Kazan, Russia
Institution: Kazan Federal University (KFU)
Timeframe: Undergraduate Years
🚀 A New City, A Fresh Start
After graduating from high school, I moved from my hometown in Komi to pursue higher education at Kazan Federal University, one of Russia’s most prestigious institutions. I was excited about studying Oriental Studies, but I also brought with me something more personal — my passion for intellectual games and strategic team competitions.
Kazan was a bigger stage, with stronger competition — but I saw that as an opportunity.
🧠 Building a New Team from the Ground Up
Seeing no existing group that matched the collaborative, competitive spirit I was used to, I took the initiative to found a new student club focused on logic-based games, team trivia, and strategic thinking. My goals were simple but ambitious:
Create a community for curious, driven students
Build a team capable of winning university-level and regional competitions
Foster interdisciplinary collaboration, welcoming members from different faculties and backgrounds
My role included:
Recruiting and screening members
Organizing weekly practice sessions and strategy workshops
Designing practice tournaments and tracking team progress
Coaching and mentoring younger teammates on communication and gameplay dynamics
🏆 From Practice Room to Podium
With the team I organized, we achieved:
🥇 Victories in faculty-wide competitions such as the Institute Cup for Intellectual Games
🏆 Recognition during university events like the Week of the Institute of International Relations
🌟 Highlighted in KFU student media, like this article about our tournament success
We didn’t just play to win — we built something lasting. The team continued participating and mentoring new members after I graduated, becoming a regular presence in the local league circuit.
🎯 Strategy & Design Principles
This experience deepened my ability to lead projects and people in complex environments:
Initiative: Identifying opportunities and acting on them without waiting for permission
Team Management: Balancing skill development, motivation, and performance
Event Coordination: Organizing training schedules, game nights, and tournament travel
Strategic Thinking: Designing systems that could adapt and improve over time
🔁 Reflection
Starting a new life in Kazan taught me how to build from scratch — not just friendships and routines, but systems, teams, and momentum. It was a major step in my development as a leader, and the impact still resonates in how I approach team dynamics and product strategy today.