What is TechGirls?
TechGirls is a U.S.-based summer exchange program designed to empower and support young women (ages 15-17) from the United States and select countries around the world to pursue higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields through hands-on skills development training.
In 2024, the program will support 111 young women from 37 participating countries/territories and 13+ U.S. peers in a dynamic four-week U.S.-based experience with a seven-month mentoring program (including pre-and post-exchange).
Since 2012, TechGirls has trained and mentored 653 teenage girls. Initially, the TechGirls program focused on countries in the Middle East and North Africa. In the summer of 2022, the TechGirls program expanded globally, engaging a talented cadre of STEM-minded young women from the United States and select countries in all six regions of the world (Western Hemisphere, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Eurasia, East Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia).
The core of the TechGirls program is a 24-day experience in the United States. In partnership with Virginia Tech, participants engage in an interactive tech camp that provides an in-depth examination of cutting-edge technologies and various educational and professional paths in STEM fields. Then, TechGirls travel to a city around the USA (Austin, Chicago, Cincinnati, Denver, Detroit, or Seattle) for community immersion and STEM career exploration. The TechGirls programming yields a multiplier effect as participants return home to conduct community-based projects with seven months of mentorship.
TechGirls is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
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Testimonials
“TechGirls was a life changing experience. It made me want to become a better person and a braver woman in the future. ”
Rania, Algeria
"I realized how fundamentally similar we all were despite coming from different cultural backgrounds."
Isabelle, USA
"We enjoyed meeting intelligent and charming young women from the Middle East."
Karen, VA, host family
"I really enjoyed learning more about different cultures and meeting the girls. They were smart, well-spoken, and inspired me to work harder."
Elizabeth, USA
"We have met some wonderful girls, and even travelled to their countries to meet their families."
Skip, VA, host family
“The program gave me the confidence I needed to pursue a path in engineering. It helps knowing that I am part of an amazing community of girls just like me; girls with big aspirations and clear visions for their professional lives.”
Elyse, Rwanda
The job shadow experience "enabled [TechGirls] to visualize a future with great potential."
Amy, DC, job shadow host
“I am forever indebted to the TechGirls program for showing me that I too could be part of the change I wanted to see in the world.”
Esther, Fiji
“This program was amazing to teach and I loved experiencing the different cultures and personalities of each of the girls.”
Andrew, Teaching Assistant at Virginia Tech
“TechGirls is where people taught me that there are girls fighting for opportunities just like me all around the globe. There is something special in each and every one of their stories, just like in mine. ”
Diyora, Uzbekistan
Aynura – Giving girls the chance to LadyUp
Aynura, TechGirls 2021, Uzbekistan The district where I live is small, on the edge. Life here was smooth.
Alae – Making Dreams Come True
Alae, TechGirls 2020, Morocco Dreams do come true! I can't believe that I am now part of the TechGirls alumni network.
Nada – Developing A ‘Growth Mindset’
Nada, TechGirls 2020, Egypt TechGirls is an essential milestone in my understanding of how global citizenship works.
