My NOC experience in Silicon Valley has really widened my perspective on not just entrepreneurship, but life in general. At times, I have been thrown into the deep end - but I have grown so much from the challenges and lessons that I was fortunate to have received. Working in a startup during one of the worst recessions since the Great Depression has taught me the real value of resourcefulness, perseverance, and how to hustle when things do not go your way. Juggling work with the equally hands-on classes at Stanford, meetings with inspiring mentors and businessmen, and being part of the active Silicon Valley community has stretched me to redefine and question my boundaries. I have not only learned to think outside the box, I have been outside the box. Life will never be the same again.

-- Wong Biying, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Psychology, NCSV July 08 Batch

My NOC experience will certainly hold a special place in my life. Having never read biology before, my internship at Voyage Medical gave me unique insights into the US Biomedical Devices industry and has opened up new opportunities which I had never dreamed off for me. Over the course of the year, I also picked up skills in creating & managing Intellectual Property which would be an invaluable part of my skill set as I pursue my ambitions of forming a high technology start-up. Outside the sphere of work, I've had the opportunity to work closely with the Tech Museum in San Jose and also with thought leaders in the field of Collective Intelligence as part of the Organizing team for the Program for the Future Challenge and in the process making a foray into another entirely new field. The NOC program is a great way to widen your horizon and be exposed to the incredible number of opportunities that are available for enterprising folks in the world today.

-- Veerappan Swaminathan, Faculty of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, NCSV July 08 Batch

Silicon Valley has wildly exceeded my expectations. Few other places in the world boast such a well-knitted community of talented people striving for its aspirations. Amazing companies like Google, Apple and Intel are conceived here – by people with dreams of changing the world. My one-year stay in the Valley has been an exceptional journey of self-fulfillment. Working in a high-tech start-up, working on my own start-up and studying at Stanford University have stretched and honed myself in a thousand ways I would not have dreamed possible. I have met incredible people who so willingly share their advice and life experiences without asking for anything in return. Most importantly, I have discovered my passion in the rapidly-growing solar industry during this time and will explore future opportunities in this field. NOC has been a life-changing experience indeed.

-- Yee Ye Sheng, Faculty of Engineering, Electrical Engineering, NCSV July 08 Batch

Silicon Valley, the epicenter of technology has broadened my worldview tremendously, opening up many possibilities of the unknown. Where there's a will, there's always a way. My one year in the Valley has taught me many intricate lessons about life, opened up many friendships and memorable experiences on entrepreneurship. It's not only a life changing experience; it unravels the start of a journey that adopts a new mindset that you are the creator of your world. You have to be on the NOC program to experience how mind blowing the reality of the experience is. Two thumbs up!

-- Audrey Tan, Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Communication & New Media, NCSV July 08 Batch

My time in Silicon Valley as part of the NOC Silicon Valley program is nothing short of amazing. Having always been interested in computers since young, living in Silicon Valley for a year is like a dream come true. I was given the chance to work at Qik, a mobile live video streaming company, and its product is way ahead of its time. With a wonderful internship experience, together with the buzz from all the events and activities from the industry around the area, it was exhilarating being at the forefront of the world's leading technology and innovation space. NUS College in Silicon Valley (NCSV) is definitely the climax of my time in NUS and I would encourage anyone to go on the experience of a lifetime.

-- Wayne Soh Wee Kiat, School of Computing, Computer Science, NCSV July 08 Batch

It was eye-opening - I got to visit unique places, meet great people, and explore different cultures. The NOC programme was not simply a lesson, but an experience - a fulfilling and unforgettable experience. It was a fruitful year of self-discovery and personal growth, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. I could not have asked for anything more.

-- Gerald Tan, School of Computing, Computer Engineering, NCSV Jan 08 Batch

Silicon Valley has definitely stretched me as a person. Meeting entrepreneurs who take huge risks to create global businesses and individuals that are crazy enough to follow their wild dreams, my NOC experience has inspired me to go after my passion, pay it forward and live by integrity.

-- Loo Hoey Lit, Faculty of Science, Life Science, NCSV July 07 Batch

I would like to describe NOC as a unique program that gives you a rare 'wild card' opportunity. Working in a medium-sized startup, there were multiple instances where I was entrusted with the responsibility of making production-critical decisions. As I worked and proved myself from task to task, I was encouraged to ask for new and more challenging roles in areas I was interested in. Studying at Stanford allowed me to mix with some of the most brilliant minds in the valley and be inspired by their spirit of entrepreneurship that dreams can be achieved and we're all there to help each other along to make this world a better place. Depending on how you play this card, it has a very strong potential to shape your game and change your life.

-- John Tan Jianming, School of Computing, Ecommerce, NCSV July 07 Batch

As cliché as it may seem, this year-long NOC program has been a life changing experience for me. In retrospect, I've learned much more about entrepreneurship from this short 1 year than any periods combined in my life. This is entrepreneurship on steroids. Working in a start up, working on my start-up, studying in Stanford, living in the Valley, interacting with people who make things happen and visiting the many well known companies that change the way we do things. The effect of this immersion is mind-blowing. I've grown, to be better man, to think like an entrepreneur and I walk away knowing that there's no dream that is too big to achieve. It only depends on how much you want it.

-- Wee Zi Huan, School of Computing, Ecommerce, NCSV July 07 Batch

This 1 year at NOC Silicon Valley is absolutely the highlight of my university life. For me, it is a journey of self-improvement and self-discovery. In Silicon Valley, we met the best entrepreneurs from hottest companies in the world. We were constantly inspired, challenged and guided by these people on the road of pursuing our passion. It was also great fun to interact with brilliant students from all over the world who study at Stanford University. Most importantly, I believe the friendship with my fellow NOC students as well as the people in the Valley, and the lessons I learnt from them will be a life-long treasure.

-- Guan Dian, School of Computing, Information Systems, NCSV July 07 Batch

The experience in Silicon Valley with the NOC program is one I'll treasure deeply. The unique blend of internship, relevant coursework at Stanford University, and frequent interaction with industry veterans through mentorship sessions and events is like no other. The NOC program has intrinsically increased my knowledge on technology entrepreneurship and many other aspects, more importantly it has allowed me to grow to be a better person.

-- Jesal S Mandalia, Faculty of Engineering, Electrical Engineering, NCSV July 07 Batch

In Silicon Valley, there is a huge difference in the perception of failure compared to Singapore. Here, they are more open to accept failures than to be put down by them. I have learned so much more about myself through this programme. A truly life changing experience that I would recommend to all of my friends.

-- Lo Cheuk Fung Gary, NUS Faculty of Engineering, NUS College in Silicon Valley Jan 06

...what past students said about the programme