TechGirls

Yousra

Bensouda

2016 TechGirls Alumna

Welcome to my website.I'm here to share my TechGirls experience with you.

For any further information, collaboration or business inquiriy feel free to contact me.

Introducing you to TechGirls

TechGirls is an exchange program sponsored by the US Department of State, and funded by the Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Cultural Affairs of the same department.

It is administrated by Legacy International, a non-profit educational organisation.

The program inspires talented teens to pursue higher education and careers in the STEM field through hands-on skills development. Through programs like this one, the US Department of State aims to create higher degrees of competency, and promote friendly relations between the US and other countries.It includes technical training with Java and C++ coding as well as leadership skills, cultural awareness and project planing.In addition to these activities, the girls get to meet Tech professionals, and spend a day in workplace to receive valuable information.Upon return home, they are requirred to carry out projects that might have an impact on their communities.

My experience

TechGirls is a once in lifetime opportunity; a life changing one and a chance to every woman who wants to stand up firmly for herself and for all the females, hoping to make a change for the humanity: slowly but surely.

From my personal point of view, it just made me believe that good still exists in the world, and wish to have a better future for all the next generations.I had the chance to acquire new skills, meet new people who share the same interests as me, build bridges upon the world, by making new relationships.I got the chance to meet people who are simply wonderful and extremly magnificent and inspiring, who encouraged me to continue on with all the work that i do, and walk through a path of my own, a path that "I" get to decide for myself.

From the extraordinary job shadowing day, to the incredible lectures and visits of the various Science and Engineering departments labs of Virginia Tech, I enjoyed every single moment, and i still consider myself very fortunate for all the memories that i got to live.

I learned so many things, surley experienced a lot, and certainly changed my perspective and vision for plenty other things, while incorporating new ideas.

To resume it all, I acquired not only"Universal Values", but more self confidence, believing in my ideas and thoughts, knowing that everything is possible as long as you have faith. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, since nothing in life is, but there's no reason to give up.You'll be surprised by what you can accomplish if you get your mind to it.The attitude is the most important. We only have one life to live, so let's make the most of it.

How to apply?

The first step into being part of the TechGirls program is applying through the US Embassy's of your country website.You need to fill a number of forms(differs from a country to another).It's only basic information related to you as a person(age,interests,email...etc...) as well as some essays about various topics that some embassies might require from you.

Once you're picked, the embassy contacts you through email telling you that you've shown strong skills,and are a principal candidate for the program.However they need to assess you through an interview (that they'll schedule with you) .The whole interview is conducted in english, so that they can see that you have the ability to talk fluently, and that you're ready for the adventure.

A few weeks later, you'll receive an email, telling you that you have been selected for the program, and the embassy will start interacting with you to prepare your travel, this including sending health forms which need to filled, and many other essential documents.

May the Journey begin...

CONTACT ME :

@Yousra_Bensouda Yousra Bensouda