Application Deadline:January 15, 2020.
TechGirls connects and supports the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by providing them access and opportunities to advance their skills and pursue their dreams.
TechGirls participants are selected based on the eligibility requirements below. Independent selection committees composed of industry leaders and regional experts review applications. United States Embassy personnel in your country of permanent residence interview semifinalists.
2020 Eligibility Requirements
Students eligible to apply are those who:
- Are from one of the following eligible countries:
- United States
- Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, and Tunisia;
- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan
- Are between the ages of 15 and 17 at the start of the exchange;
- Have demonstrated advanced skills and a serious interest in technology, engineering, and/or math in their academic studies;
- Intend to pursue higher education and/or careers in technology;
- Have strong English language skills;
- Exhibit maturity, flexibility, and open-mindedness;
- Will attend at least one additional semester of secondary school upon their return to their home country; and
- Are committed to completing a community-based project upon their return home.
- Preference will be given to those who have limited or no prior experience in the United States. You are not eligible if you have travelled to the United States in the last three years as part of any other ECA exchange program.
Please note that family members of U.S. Embassy or Consulate staff or U.S. Department of State employees are not eligible to apply.
TechGirls encourages people with diverse backgrounds and skills to apply, including individuals with disabilities.
Benefits:
The TechGirls program covers the following costs:
- Visa Fee
- Roundtrip international airfare from participant home country to the United States
- Housing during program
- Double occupancy dormitory accommodations
- Meals during program
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Local transportation to group program events
- Cultural events organized by Legacy International
- Emergency health insurance
2020 Program Flow for Central Asian and MENA TechGirls
| July 6-10, 2020 Washington DC: Leadership Development Clinics, Women in Tech Panel discussions, Tour of the nation’s capitol, and service projects. July 10-12, 2020 Central Asian group- Weekend with a US Host Family: a real cultural immersion with carefully vetted families in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. MENA Group – leadership training at Virginia Tech |
| July 13-24, 2020 Virginia Tech Campus, Blacksburg Virginia: Join 10 US teens for coding and cybersecurity classes plus meetings with a variety of department leaders conducting cutting edge research. |
| July 23, 2020 Job Shadow Day for MENA group in southwest Virginia, July 24-26 Weekend with Host Families for MENA group. Central Asia Group – leadership training at Virginia Tech |
| July 26-31, 2020 Washington DC: Job Shadow Day for Central Asia Group, NASA Visit, final action planning, capstone event, meeting at the US Department of State and wrap up. August 1 – Departure Day |
Back at Home (August-January)
Community action plans: During the program, each leader develops an action plan to transfer skills and knowledge back home. Projects have included – starting a Tech Club at school, offering training to classmates, helping local business by designing a website, creating an on-line dialogue forum with friends, blogging, organizing tech career fairs at their school.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the U.S. Department of State TechGirls Program 2020