My Unforgettable Summer in Silicon Valley

Abigail Grubbs/ July 2, 2024/ 2024

“There’s nothing better you could do during your freshman summer.” “You’ll meet your closest friends and so many amazing people.” “I can’t explain it but you’ll learn so much more by being in the Bay Area.” These were just a few of the recommendations I heard from Duke in Silicon Valley alumni when I was considering the program. Now that I’ve experienced it myself, I couldn’t be happier I took their advice. Duke in Silicon Valley (DSV) was a month-long odyssey, immersing us in the heart of innovation, where every conversation could be a gateway to the next big thing. It wasn’t just a program; it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, full of self-growth, amazing discoveries, and countless happy memories.

As a rising sophomore (Class of ’27), this program was my first real taste of Duke Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E), and it didn’t disappoint. The professors were exceptional, making every class intellectually stimulating. With a rotating roster of experts like Duke internet personality Aaron Dinin and Head of I&E Jamie Jones, each session was a deep dive into various entrepreneurial aspects. Despite the two-hour classes, boredom was never an issue, thanks to their engaging teaching styles. As a Pratt tech geek, I found the program’s non-tech focus particularly valuable. Aaron’s insights into sales and marketing, Jamie’s venture capital discussions, and the product management lessons broadened my entrepreneurial horizon beyond just technology. Every class provided genuinely useful knowledge for launching my own venture.

The people in the program were equally impressive. The program made a conscious effort to include individuals from diverse backgrounds, be it through race, gender, socioeconomic status, majors, or grades. These were people I might not have had the chance to know at Duke, but our common passion for entrepreneurship brought us together. Adventuring together in the Bay Area helped me get to know every single person in our cohort on a personal level. From In-N-Out to Fisherman’s Wharf, there was always something to do. Frequent trips to San Francisco, amusement parks, hiking trails, shopping areas, and nearby restaurants kept us busy. The hotel’s amenities, including a hot tub, gym, basketball court, and daily breakfast, made our stay comfortable and homely. Every second of the day was spent learning or having fun.

Something that might not be spoken about enough is how the program fosters independence. For many of us, it was our first time living in an apartment with a kitchen for an extended period. Grocery shopping and cooking became part of our routine, adding several recipes to our culinary arsenal. The expensive living style taught us budgeting. And the free time required balancing work, social activities, and exploring new interests, teaching us valuable time management skills.

What truly set this program apart from a class in Durham were the site visits. There’s a difference between learning about a company and actually visiting it—walking the halls, talking to the employees, and enjoying the amenities. It might sound corny, but you can feel the atmosphere of each place. My favorites included Tesla, Meta, Google, and Sequoia, not because of their locations (although they were all awesome), but the people I met. From seasoned professional to fresh out of Duke, every alumni offered unique advice about both their time at the company and their life story. I’ve lost count of the number of memorable people I met and the snippets of wisdom each of them gave.

I’m not the only one giving raving reviews about DSV. Aiden Lo (‘26) encapsulated our collective sentiment, saying, “Seeing prominent figures like Eddy Cue and Ravi from Sequoia talk about their experiences was inspiring.” Amy Yin (‘25) highlighted the authenticity of alumni, “Their openness about successes and challenges made the site visits particularly enriching.” Gabby Perry (‘26) found the Tesla factory visit transformative: “Witnessing the manufacturing process deepened my respect for automation and the alumni’s willingness to offer guidance made it special.” Jonathan Torres (‘26) appreciated the diversity and inclusivity, “The friendly, collaborative environment and the amazing people I met from the Duke alumni network were highlights.”

Unanimously, we would recommend the program to friends. Aiden emphasized, “It’s the only class where you learn actively every day from seasoned entrepreneurs.” Gabby and Jonathan also highlighted the balanced mix of learning, networking, and exploration, fostering a close-knit community by the program’s end.

Growing up, “making it to the Bay” always felt like a golden dream—the ultimate destination for my tech career to flourish and for finding a community so ambitious and joyful. After spending a month there, my desire to live in the Bay has only intensified. It’s hard to describe, but the area truly feels like home. I’m incredibly thankful to Duke in Silicon Valley, to the organizers, the teachers, the inspiring people I met, and Ronnie and Carrie Ludwig for making this experience possible.

Arshaan is a rising sophomore from Princeton, NJ, planning to major in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science with a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. During his childhood, Arshaan crafted games on platforms like Hopscotch and Scratch. His journey took a pivotal turn by creating a volunteer-match platform to help those impacted by COVID-19, sparking a passion for creating tech products for social good.

Arshaan loves playing hockey, singing, and anything related to cars. In his free time he also enjoys hanging out with friends and chilling with his backyard pet chickens. With his sights set on Silicon Valley, he’s eager to sync his tech and entrepreneurial expertise to navigate and shape the future of technology, especially related to generative AI.