A total of 12 Dreamers will take part in Imagine Silicon Valley 2017 from July 1st to 31st, which will take place in San Francisco (United States). This is a programme which focuses on disruptive innovation in which Dreamers will work on projects with the help of mentors and experts, and where they will have the chance to visit some of the most emblematic companies in the world, such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, Tesla, Stanford and Berkeley.

Three young people have been awarded grants by the Foundation, and the second of these is Sara Caravaca, from the Balia Foundation who has been a volunteer for the programme ‘Conecta Mayores-Conecta Joven’ for two years. At just 17, she will soon be on her way towards San Francisco…

How did you feel when you first learned that you were an official Dreamer for Imagine Silicon Valley 2017?

I felt extremely proud of myself and happy, I knew how lucky I was to have been chosen for this amazing experience which I am about to have. I couldn’t stop thanking Xavi Verdaguer (the founder of Imagine), I could barely talk. I had always thought that if you are driven, motivated and put in the effort you can achieve anything, and now that belief has been proven to be true. You should never give up.

And what do you think the programme will be like for you?

I think it will be a very intense month, I aim to work hard, enjoy the experience and I hope to continue to grow as a person and learn from those around me.

It is a fantastic opportunity to spend a month in one of the most important tech company hubs in the world, what targets have you set yourself?

My main objective is to learn, to learn to be an entrepreneur, to develop my ideas until they become a reality. The world we live in today is so technology-based, I want to know what the main ideas and targets are of the most important tech companies in the world.

What do you think of the fact that institutions like the Balia Foundation and the Banco Sabadell Foundation are working to support talent and offer these types of opportunities?

I think it is extremely positive. People who are driven can achieve great things, but sometimes we just need a little nudge in the right direction, and in this case the Balia Foundation and the Banco Sabadell Foundation are providing that. People need opportunities, for someone to believe in them… so… thank you for believing in me!

Video presentation by Sara Caravaca: