Stories from students at TechGirls
Overview of TechGirls
TechGirls is a U.S.-based summer exchange program designed to expand the talent pipeline in STEM. Young women (ages 15-17) from the United States and select countries gain valuable hands-on training leading them to pursue higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. The core of the program is a 23-day experience in the United States, including an interactive tech camp at Virginia Tech University and community immersion in various U.S. cities. Participants also engage in a seven-month mentoring program and conduct community-based projects upon returning home.
📍Location
In-Person, Blacksburg, VA, US🇺🇸
📅 Application deadlines
- No upcoming deadlines
💸 Costs & Aid
- Free
- The TechGirls program covers all major costs including visa fee for international participants, roundtrip international airfare, roundtrip domestic airfare, housing, meals, local transportation, cultural events, and emergency health insurance.
Eligibility Requirements
📋 General Requirements
Applicants should have demonstrated advanced skills and a serious interest in science, technology, engineering, and/or math, intend to pursue higher education and/or careers in STEM, have strong English language skills (advanced intermediate), exhibit maturity, flexibility, and open-mindedness, will attend at least one additional semester of secondary school upon return home, and are committed to completing a community-based project upon return home. Preference is given to those with limited or no prior experience in the United States. Applicants are not eligible if they have traveled to the United States in the last three years as part of any other ECA exchange program, or are a family member of U.S. Embassy or Consulate staff, U.S. Department of State employees, Legacy International staff, or partner organizations. Americans who are dual citizens and living abroad are not eligible.
👥 Age Requirements
Between the ages of 15 and 17 at the start of the exchange on July 12, 2025 (Born on or between July 13, 2007 and July 12, 2010)
🌍 Eligible Countries
Citizen and Permanent resident Albania🇦🇱 Brazil🇧🇷 Cameroon🇨🇲 Costa Rica🇨🇷 Cyprus🇨🇾 Algeria🇩🇿 Ecuador🇪🇨 Egypt🇪🇬 Fiji🇫🇯 Greece🇬🇷 Indonesia🇮🇩 Jordan🇯🇴 Kazakhstan🇰🇿 Kenya🇰🇪 Kyrgyzstan🇰🇬 Cambodia🇰🇭 Lebanon🇱🇧 Morocco🇲🇦 Montenegro🇲🇪 Mongolia🇲🇳 Nigeria🇳🇬 Pakistan🇵🇰 Panama🇵🇦 Peru🇵🇪 Palestinian Territories🇵🇸 Rwanda🇷🇼 Suriname🇸🇷 Tajikistan🇹🇯 Turkmenistan🇹🇲 Tunisia🇹🇳 Turkey🇹🇷 Taiwan🇹🇼 US🇺🇸 Uzbekistan🇺🇿 Vietnam🇻🇳 Kosovo🇽🇰 South Africa🇿🇦 Zambia🇿🇲
Application Process
All participants are selected based on eligibility requirements. Independent selection committees review applications. International semi-finalists are interviewed by U.S. embassy personnel, and U.S. semi-finalists are interviewed by Legacy International.
📅 Summer
Duration
3 weeks plus 7 months of mentorship
Application Deadlines
- Dec 6, 2024 — RegularApplication Fee: Free