Off to a Meaningful Start
By Unzila Sakina
If there’s one phrase that sums up my first week in the Duke in Silicon Valley program, it’s this: get comfortable with being uncomfortable . And honestly? I didn’t expect to love that feeling as much as I did.
From the moment we checked into the hotel, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical classroom experience. We weren’t here to sit back and take notes — we were here to question, challenge, and rewire the way we think about innovation.
Our “classes” happened everywhere — in conference rooms, buses, start-up offices, and even 
escape rooms. And we weren’t just learning from professors — we were learning from every experience, every environment, and every person we met. But no matter the setting, one thing stayed the same: we were constantly being asked to think deeper. Why do people chase trends instead of originality? What does it mean to build something that actually matters?
Every conversation, every speaker, every site visit pushed us to go beyond the obvious. Meeting founders like Heidi Zak, who built ThirdLove on inclusivity before it was a buzzword, made me realize how personal, vulnerable, and powerful entrepreneurship really is. She wasn’t just selling a product — she was challenging an industry. Hearing from Elle Smyth, co-founder of RetailReady, further grounded that idea. It was a reminder that bold, industry-shifting ideas don’t just happen in Silicon Valley — they can start right here, from people who sat in the same classrooms as us.
The week wasn’t all intensity, though. There was laughter. A lot of it. Whether it was through improv exercises (surprisingly insightful), grocery runs that turned into group bonding, or walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, taking in a view that quietly reminded us how far from campus — and our comfort zones — we really were. It all reminded us that creativity thrives not in isolation, but in community.
I came into this program excited to learn about Innovation & Entrepreneurship. By the end of the week, what also stayed with me was how much value came from simply being exposed to different ways of thinking. Whether it was a founder’s approach to building or the unexpected lessons from an improv session, it all added up to something bigger: a clearer understanding of how ideas take shape — and what holds them back.
If this is just week one, I can’t wait for what’s ahead!
Unzila is a rising senior from McLean, Virginia, studying computer science and economics at Duke University. On campus, she serves as a resident assistant and is involved in leadership roles through the Center for Muslim Life and the Pakistan Student Association. She’s also a teaching assistant for calculus and actively volunteers with organizations like FEMMES+. Unzila is passionate about using technology for social impact and is especially interested in the intersection of tech, entrepreneurship, and community development. She’s excited to join Duke in Silicon Valley to explore how innovation shapes real-world solutions and to connect with others who share a creative, purpose-driven mindset. In her free time, she enjoys reading poetry, watching classic South Asian films, and exploring new coffee spots with friends.
