The WE program, supported by Google and organized by Talentsprint, is a unique and transformative experience. It features a one-month bootcamp held at IIIT Hyderabad, one of India’s premier institutions. This program is designed to foster an environment where students can expand their minds and broaden their horizons.
An Inspiring Venue
IIIT Hyderabad stands out from the other renowned Indian government colleges in the sense that a person can decipher from glance at its walls that the faculty institute to to inculcate the artistic abilities of the students as much as it wishes to highlight the student’s research prowess. Seeing a tree labelled not in the name of the deen of the college or a professor but in the name of the people who planted it was the moment that set IIIT Hyderabad apart from other Indian colleges. Exploring the college felt like exploring a museum, and it seemed each day we discovered a new canteen(On our last week we discovered one canteen solely dedicated to maggi). The canteens were the sole source of sustenance for the WE community but experimenting was a dangerous venture, which was experienced specially by those who decided to order the cheese masala dosa and ended up with a horrifying mayonnaise atrocity.
A Unique Curriculum
In one of India’s best colleges, we learned everything but Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA). In hindsight, this was probably a smart decision by the WE mentors. The focus was on teaching us how to work in teams, read effectively, and communicate clearly. While we did learn technical skills such as LaTeX, Sphinx, Graphviz, Haskell, and Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), the emphasis was on fundamental skills that are often overlooked in traditional curricula. Though it may be shocking, our classes started from 9A.M. and oftentimes would continue till 7P.M. sometimes even reaching 8P.M. It wasn’t college, there was no compulsion to stay but WE stayed anyways because it never felt like our time was wasted. A fond memory is being kicked out of class early one day and raiding the dominos(the furthest we went in regards to touring Hyderabad’s cuisine).
Essential Skills for the Real World
The program highlighted the importance of writing readable code, crafting meaningful commit messages, raising issues, and asking questions publicly. These skills, though not as flashy as tech buzzwords, are crucial for real-world success.
Exciting Projects and Experiences
Despite the emphasis on fundamentals, we engaged in several exciting projects and activities:
- Blockchain Project: Our team created a blockchain project in Go using Hyperledger Fabric.
- Python Programming: We wrote beautiful, object-oriented code in Python.(and learnt a hatred for tennis)
- Cryptography: We delved into cryptography, although it remains a complex field for many of us.
- Google Office Visit: We visited the Google office and received some cool Google merchandise.
A Surreal Experience
The WE program was a surreal experience, one that every student should have at least once in their life. With a selection rate of less than 1%, participants can be certain they are among the best peer group in India. The program taught us not only technical skills but also how to thrive in a collaborative and creative environment.
In conclusion, the WE program by Talentsprint, supported by Google, is more than just an educational initiative. It is a life-changing experience that equips students with essential skills and knowledge, preparing them for a successful future.