Reflections from Silicon Valley

It has been more than 3 months and I am now halfway through this journey. I
remember before coming here I was reading most of the blog posts on this
website to try and get a glimpse of what my experience would be like. Looking
back I can’t help but think of how all my initial questions and doubts have
unraveled during this time. I can now safely say that I have adapted to the
lifestyle and environment of Silicon Valley. I have already been part of various
mind-expanding experiences, visited fascinating places, met cool people, and
gained new ideas. These are all things that have helped me shape different
perspectives about my future and there is surely more to come during the time
left here.
I landed in the US around the end of August and was placed in the Silicon Valley
area of California. Just like with all new beginnings, I was generally enthusiastic
and curious. There are many things that first strike you as being different, such
as the huge distances, spread out streets, and the diversity of cultures. The big
crowded downtowns are surrounded by vast green and quiet suburbs. Different
but also familiar, probably because most of the online content we consume
generally comes from here. From what I have witnessed, there is the same
scenario that makes up most of the big cities of the US. Urban life is lived at a
fast pace and there is a staggering scope of communities and lifestyles. From
the outdoorsy hippies to the sophisticated snobs, there surely is something for
everybody. I don’t think you can ever feel like a foreigner in this country but you
do have to be part of a community to avoid feelings of not belonging. Despite
the superficial differences I’ve realized that people are basically the same
regardless of their backgrounds. They have the same desires, the same needs
, and the same worries. They are generally friendly, willing to help, and curios to
hear your story.
I currently live in San Jose, CA and there are some traits exclusive to this part of
the US. Few regions of the world have been as idealized as Silicon Valley and it
does live up to the hype. On numerous sunny days, lots of Teslas and tech
professionals roam the streets. It is normal to take a short walk in the
neighborhood and pass by the headquarters of various big tech companies.
People are highly success-oriented and fully concentrated on improving their
lives and careers. Even though sometimes intense, I’ve generally found them
friendly, and open to networking and sharing information. It definitely makes for an
empowering feeling being part of it and it gets you motivated to get in with the
flow. The company I work for is placed inside the premises of Plug and Play,
which is probably the biggest networking hub in Silicon Valley. I’ve had the
chance to meet with highly qualified individuals and CEOs of various companies.
This has had a big impact on my mindset and enforced my humbling realization,
that there are lots of smarter people out there, which is a good thing. It gets you
in the right spot mentally to actually get down to work and chase your own
personal success.
I am working as a software engineer at Inbenta, a tech company that provides
patented artificial intelligence solutions to ease communication between
machines and humans. I have to say that since day one, I’ve always felt
welcomed and involved with my team’s projects and objectives. My contribution
can now be noted in various projects and assignments. I’ve worked closely with
the team in the successful finalization of some of Inbenta’s most important
product features. There was never a lack of resources or lack of help from my
colleagues. The process was built in a way for me to have a quick onboarding
and facilitate my progress through any obstacles. I’ve learned that this is not
limited to just my company and I think this is what ultimately makes the
difference in Silicon Valley. Their work ethic and the team spirit culture.
Everything is set up in a way to be practical and convenient for people to thrive.
You can find all the necessary support and mentor in the work environment or
any professional community for you to develop. They are very results-oriented
and will do everything possible to meet their deadlines and complete their
objectives. With an open attitude and humbleness, I know I can learn a lot and
gain perspective on a different more efficient, and productive work culture.
A shift in my environment, new experts in the industry, new ideas, and new
approaches that could further widen my knowledge base and expose me to new
opportunities are some of the reasons I chose to be a part of this program. I am
grateful because most of my expectations were met. I am not going to claim that
living here is the greatest thing ever. It has its ups and downs. One thing is for
sure, this will not be a bad experience. There is no such thing anyway. There will
be moments when you have a great time and ones when you get to learn
more about yourself. Being flexible, dependable, open to new experiences, and
asking questions are some of the things that have helped me make the most of
it. Now I am excited to learn and experience what the other half of the program
has in store for me.

©️ Endri Dani, MIP Internship Fellow 2022