How an Externship Helped TripleTen Students and Language App Kippy

In the fast-paced world of tech, externships can bridge the gap between learned theory and real-life application. Unlike internships, which often focus on long-term immersion within a company, externships provide a short but intense experience or training program, which allows participants to work on real-world projects that directly impact businesses. 

The value of externships is no secret to TripleTen students, including those who were a part of a rewarding externship with Kippy, a language-learning app focused on speech, not grammar. “We partnered with TripleTen because we share a common mission: empowering people with the tools and knowledge to develop new skills,” said Kippy’s Chief Education Officer, Steve Olesansky.

Here’s how this collaboration unfolded and the meaningful results it delivered for both our students and Kippy.

The project: Improve AI language learning

Founded with a unique mission, Kippy aims to transform how people learn languages by solving the “fluency trap.” Unlike traditional language apps that prioritize grammar and long-term fluency, Kippy focuses exclusively on immersive, conversational practice and pronunciation. This helps users who want to connect through real-world dialogue, empowering them to gain confidence and practical skills for everyday communication. 

“Traditional learning content is geared towards helping people achieve fluency for academic or work purposes – a journey that is often long and discouraging,” explained Steve. “Kippy takes a different approach. It is solely focused on conversation, designed for people who want to connect and communicate without the pressure of achieving fluency.”

When the opportunity arose to partner with TripleTen for an externship, Kippy saw a perfect alignment. “With AI advancing rapidly, we wanted to give TripleTen students a chance to apply their knowledge in a hands-on way that could deliver real value,” said Steve. “Learning a language is similar to learning data science – it’s about growth and transformation.”

The goal? Identify how users find value in Kippy and pinpoint areas for improvement.

“This data-driven approach helped us better understand how Kippy supports learners and where we could improve the experience,” Steve said. While the goal was simple, getting there involved a decidedly more complex process and set of challenges.

The process: Unlock insights from data

The externship project spanned two cohorts of TripleTen students, each with distinct focuses. The first cohort laid the groundwork by analyzing high-level transactional data and developing tools to manage complex data structures. Building on this foundation, the second cohort is currently delving deeper, exploring nuanced usage patterns and providing actionable recommendations for optimizing the user experience.

From selecting the right technologies to interpreting intricate datasets, the externship posed challenges that tested students’ tech skills_{The Most In-Demand Tech Skills That Will Get You Hired}. The cohorts used tools like Python and SQL for data cleaning, analysis, and visualization, while frameworks like Tableau brought their insights to life. For many students, this was their first taste of an intense, real-world project.

Steve noted that the diversity in experience among the students added another layer of complexity. Some participants were already familiar with the tasks, while others were taking their first steps into data science. However, the collaborative nature of the project helped bridge these gaps. Guided by Kippy’s team, students worked together to troubleshoot coding issues, streamline workflows, and craft compelling data stories.

Through persistence and teamwork, the students transformed obstacles into learning moments. By the end of the externship, they had not only gained technical skills but also learned how to frame their work in a way that resonates with potential employers. As Steve pointed out, “We helped students demonstrate how their contributions could drive measurable business results – a key takeaway for any aspiring professional.”

Steve credited much of the project’s success to the collaborative management of TripleTen’s team members, Marcela and Iuliia, who worked closely with the students.

Their devotion to guiding and supporting the students at every step was truly inspiring. Steve Olesansky, Kippy’s Chief Education Officer

Though his role was more ad hoc, Steve appreciated the chance to engage with students and witness their problem-solving skills firsthand.

Overall, Steve noted the project gave students the opportunity to work on real-world problems, “analyzing data to uncover tactical insights that could directly impact key business metrics like retention, conversion, and churn.” 

This practical experience is invaluable, as it goes beyond creating graphs to understanding how to apply data science skills to drive product and business improvements. Steve Olesansky, Kippy’s Chief Education Officer

The impact: Drive learning growth

The externship’s results exceeded expectations on multiple fronts. The first cohort’s foundational insights offered a fresh perspective on Kippy’s user journey, helping the company refine its strategic priorities. The second cohort is building upon this success, uncovering deeper trends that are set to inform Kippy’s future development.

“While the first cohort’s delivery was more foundational, they still uncovered valuable insights that helped shape the product,” Steve explained. “The second cohort built on this foundation and delved much deeper into the data. While we’re still awaiting their final presentation, I’m already excited about what they’ve discovered.”

One of the most significant outcomes was how the project prepared students for career success. By tackling real-world problems, participants gained the confidence and expertise needed to tackle complex data challenges. 

“I also worked with the students to help them frame their skills in a way that potential employers would value – for example, by showing how their work could help a company like Kippy achieve measurable results,” Steve said. In fact, this experience has already helped_{Why TripleTen Grads Have an 87% Chance of Getting Hired} some TripleTen students land interviews.

For Kippy, the externship underscored the value of blending AI’s analytical power with human intuition. “AI can efficiently process data, but having humans in the loop allows us to discover unique insights that machines might miss,” Steve said. The collaboration not only strengthened Kippy’s product but also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation.

Discover your externship opportunity

The success of the Kippy externship highlights the transformative potential of hands-on learning and application. Whether you’re a beginner eager to break into a new field or a professional looking to sharpen your skills, externships (not internships!) provide the perfect environment to apply knowledge and build expertise.

TripleTen software engineering graduate Ian Dizney confirms the value of these partnership_{3 Things That Made TripleTen's Software Engineering Program Exceptionals}: “Participating in an externship with TripleTen was a defining moment in my learning journey. It allowed me to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application.”

Interested in our bootcamp with externships? Check out our guide to explore how you can gain real-world experience while making an impact. Let’s build your future, one project at a time.