In Silicon Valley are two of the most prestigious universities in the world: Stanford University and Berkeley University -connected by the Golden Gate Bridge-. With an impressive history behind it, the legacy of an excellent education remains intact in each of the graduates, students and entrants who once set foot on the ground of institutions that marked a turning point in the academic universe.

On his trip through the small IT city, Alejandro Jatib -CEO of Lab9- took a tour of the facilities of both universities, gradually discovering the wonders that the landscape offers visitors: from architectural constructions to the legendary spirit that can be seen in every corner and student face.

Stanford University

Although its real name is Leland Stanford Junior University, it is globally known as Stanford University and is located 56 km southeast of San Francisco, forming part of the Silicon Valley ecosystem. Being a private institution, it is among the top 10 of the best universities in the world thanks to its impeccable track record in the field of higher education and research.

As we mentioned in previous articles, this academic entity was the crucible of brilliant minds that founded the companies that we consume massively today such as HP, Google, Yahoo and Sun MicroSystems.

Its renowned prestige hides a story that very few know about the motivation for its existence, and this is intrinsically linked to the death of its founder's son, Leland Stanford. After abandoning their family due to typhoid fever, the couple decided that “the children of California will be our children.” Right there is where the seed of a project began to germinate that would be born in 1891 and would go through generations and generations of students.

Until 1930, the house of higher education did not achieve much international visibility until the end of the Second World War, when military research projects and the rise of an entrepreneurial spirit began to come to life, managing to cross the borders of the United States.

Stanford currently has 5 faculties, among which we can name: Engineering, Earth Sciences, Medicine, Law and Humanities. It also offers 2 graduate programs in the areas of Education and Business. As a colorful fact, its extensive grounds house a linear accelerator, a business park and a renowned health care center.

Who said that between Stanford and Berkeley there would be rivalry? The relationship between both entities is very cordial and is reflected every year during the well-known “Big Game”, an American football game played between the teams of both universities.

Berkeley University

75 km is the distance - 53 minutes average trip by car - or the width of the San Francisco Bay, it is the distance that separates Stanford from this prestigious institution.

One of the best plans to live the experience of studying abroad, positions Berkeley as one of the favorite places. There students are able to network, meeting new people and places of attraction.

The University of California - commonly known as the University of Berkeley- stands out for occupying the number 1 position in the ranking of the best state places to study in the United States, as well as belonging to the exclusive list worldwide. Since its founding in 1868 - 22 years before Stanford emerged - it had in mind the projection of a motto that remains to this day: “to provide instruction, general and complete education in science, literature, art and industrial activities.”

For Berkeley to become what it represents today, it had to merge with two educational institutions that served as a catapult to make its mark in the educational sector. Its recognition is not in vain since in addition to being a great research center, its great academic offering has nothing to envy of its peers: 106 bachelor's degrees, 31 postgraduate degrees, 88 master's degrees and 97 doctorates referring to research in multiple disciplines.

This house of higher education has a campus that occupies a total area of approximately 500 hectares, of which 72 hectares belong to the central campus and 324 hectares to an ecological reserve, while the remainder is occupied by the various research laboratories.

If we talk about green lungs, a curious fact shows that within the property there are plantations that are the same age as the university. In fact, it has a eucalyptus grove, known to be the tallest in the world.

As for the students and their accommodation possibilities, it is known that this university offers certain facilities during the first years. For example, incoming students have the right to guaranteed accommodation for two years within the many buildings that make up the grounds, while transfer students share the same but only for one year. The menu is valid for all tastes and preferences: from apartments, fraternities and sororities, to cooperative accommodations.

We invite you to closely follow this special and exclusive series of notes on Silicon Valley, to travel for a few minutes to the mecca of technology!