Sarai Licona has a university education in the area of Law, she completed her Master´s in Business and ICTs at the University of Cantabria, where she is currently a Ph.D. student. As a researcher, she works with digital entrepreneurship topics and the Lean Startup method. As a professional, she works with marketing and digital analytics for the development of online business.
He is currently a participant in the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, through which she as a residence at the Fab Lab Iasi. This collaboration allows her to work with the owner of the business and to learn about the local practices and trends of entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and networking while she works on her owns project.
Why did you choose Romania to come with the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program?
I am a very active person who is continuously looking for opportunities. With this program, I was looking for an option in a country that would give me an absolutely different perspective to Spain. Although initially, I had not considered Romania in my search, the Fab Lab Iasi appeared. I made a brief research on the internet about the place and it seemed interesting, different and above all would allow me to contact different local professionals.
How did you find the Romanian reality of previous perceptions?
It is very different from the perception Spanish people have. Actually, I think that the Romanian citizen has been stereotyped in a character that is very out of reality. In Iasi, people are very prepared, they are open-minded which is an advantage because it allows them to easily accept changes and they have the facility to create projects constantly. I was also surprised by the fluency they have with languages, although most older people only speak Romanian.
How is the relationship with the Romanian host entrepreneur and how is the business training carried out?
The relationship is very nice with Dan Zaharia and with the residents of Fab Lab Iasi, they made me feel welcome from the start. Gradually, I learned how the business works and especially how my host handles it. I considérate myself a very analytical person, so I am always observing his behavior to learn how to handle different situations and how he interacts with the clients/visitors at Fab Lab.
Regarding my Project, I have established a calendar of activities, when I have some progress I used to consult Dan to get his feedback. Dan sometimes gives me refreshing ideas that changes my activity plan in some way and other times he puts me in touch with people who could help me on anyway.
What are the common elements that you find in Romania with your country?
Spanish and Romanian cultures are very different. However, in both continuous training opportunities are generated to promote the entrepreneurial culture among young people.
This confers the citizens in a continuous learning ecosystem.
As Mexican, I have felt more connected to people´s personality. I mean, although we are also very different cultures, I felt we are more open, flexible mind to the changes and we like to meet people continuously.
What knowledge do you want to leave at the end of the internship?
I want to learn everything I can until the last day of Dan and my fellow residents at the Fab Lab. Moreover, I would like to leave them a link to Spain and maybe to America for the future because I know is easier to start a project if there you meet someone.
Finally, I would like to motivate them to travel with the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program like me, maybe the next time we meet will be in Spain.
