What is 42
42 is an international programming school with a very different approach to education. There are no traditional classes, no teachers, and no exams in the usual sense. Learning at 42 is based on peer-to-peer collaboration, self-learning, and constant practice.
One of the most unique parts of 42 is the Piscine, an intensive selection period that lasts several weeks. During this time, candidates are fully immersed in programming, solving challenges every day under strong time pressure.
Getting into the Piscine is already competitive, and being accepted into the school after it is even harder.
The piscine experience
I participated in the 42 Silicon Valley Piscine during the summer of 2018, in San Francisco, California.
The Piscine is intense, demanding, and mentally exhausting. For several weeks, I spent long days and nights programming, learning new concepts very fast, and constantly pushing my limits. The difficulty is not only technical — it is also about resistance, consistency, and being able to keep going even when things don’t work.
During this time, I worked side by side with people from many different countries and backgrounds. Collaboration was essential, and the environment was very international. This experience allowed me to meet people from all over the world, work in teams under pressure, and make international friends.
The repository contains my submissions during the Piscine, which you can find here:
👉 42 Silicon Valley Piscine – GitHub Repository
Effort and learning
The Piscine required a huge amount of time, focus, and discipline. It was common to spend many hours a day coding, debugging, and helping others, sometimes with very little rest.
Beyond programming, it taught me:
- how to learn fast and autonomously
- how to work under pressure
- how to collaborate in highly demanding environments
- how to stay motivated in difficult moments
It was one of the most intense learning experiences I have had.
Being accepted my decision
After completing the Piscine, I was offered a place at 42 Silicon Valley, which was a great recognition of the effort I had put in.
However, at that moment I decided to continue my academic path in Spain, where I chose to study a dual Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Electronics and Automation Engineering and Computer Engineering. I wanted to obtain the double degree and build a strong foundation that combined hardware and software engineering.
This was not an easy decision, but it aligned better with my long-term goals and my interest in understanding technology from both the physical and digital sides.
Why this experience matters to me
Even though I did not continue at 42, the Piscine had a strong impact on me.
It reinforced my passion for programming, improved my ability to work under pressure, and showed me the importance of collaboration in technical environments. It also gave me an international perspective early in my career and helped shape the way I approach learning and problem-solving today.
Final thoughts
The 42 Silicon Valley Piscine was challenging, demanding, and intense — but also very rewarding.
It represents a period of hard work, growth, and international collaboration, and it remains an important part of my personal and professional journey.