TechGirls Program – Deadline March 1, 2012

Teenage secondary school students are invited to apply for the inaugural TechGirls program. TechGirls will bring teenage girls, ages 15-17, from select countries in the Middle East and North Africa to the United States in June-July 2012 for a three- to five-week exchange program focused on promoting high-level study of technology.  Program activities will include hands-on classes, labs, individual or team-based project design and development, mentoring experiences, job shadowing, site visits to high tech companies in the United States, and opportunities for interaction with American peers. 

The program will be intensive, academic, and highly interactive. The program sponsors seek energetic applicants who are interested in developing their leadership and technology skills in order to become future leaders and experts in the field of technology in their home countries.

Students may apply if they fit the following criteria:

• Lebanese citizens, or long-term Palestinian resident in Lebanon
• Females between the ages of 15 and 17 as of June 1, 2012 (born after June 1, 1995, and before June 1, 1997);
• Have demonstrated advanced skills and a serious interest in technology, engineering, and/or math in their academic studies;
• Intend to pursue higher education and careers in technology;
• Have strong English language skills;
• Are excited about learning;
• Exhibit maturity, flexibility, and open-mindedness; and
• Will attend at least one more semester of secondary school upon their return to their home country.

Instructions for applying

Please fill out the Word document application form (39 Kb) or the PDF application in English (136 Kb) as completely as possible. The information you provide on this application will provide the basis for selecting semi-finalists for this program. Answer the questions carefully and completely.

Applications can be e-mailed to BeirutPD@state.gov  or can be hand-delivered or mailed to the U.S. Embassy in Awkar by 4:30 p.m by latest March 1, 2012. 

For further information please contact the program administrator Ms.  Nancy Stephan: stephanng@state.gov ; Tel. 04-542 600 ext. 4459.