[An interview with Anne Brown, PhD., Assistant Professor in Research and Informatics, Department of Biochemistry and Academy of Integrated Science of Virginia Tech University,  Photo Credit: Egshig Nandinbold]

Each summer, young women from around the world travel to the United States for a life-changing experience called TechGirls.

The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, brings together high school girls who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Since its launch in 2012, TechGirls has trained and mentored 781 teenage girls through its intensive STEM exchange program.

Each year, around 120 international high school girls from 37 participating countries and territories, along with 13 U.S. peers, participate in a three‑week program in the United States.

The 2025 cohort represents young women from regions across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, selected to engage in an intensive STEM experience.

Applications are open to high school girls aged 15-17 who live in eligible countries, show strong leadership potential and STEM interest, have advanced intermediate English skills, and commit to completing a community project upon returning home.

The program typically runs from mid‑July to early August, with all expenses, including international airfare, housing, meals, transportation, and visa costs, fully covered by the U.S. Department of State.

Hosted at Virginia Tech, TechGirls offers a mix of academic workshops, leadership training, cultural exchange, and personal growth.

For many participants, it is their first time abroad and their first time connecting so deeply with peers from other cultures.

Professor Anne Brown, who teaches molecular modeling in the program, says the experience is just as rewarding for the instructors.

"I think TechGirls is a fantastic opportunity to share the excitement I have for science," she said.

She guides students through complex topics like protein structure and tools like PyMOL, which are typically introduced in college.

“The most special part,” she adds, “is seeing the projects the girls do in their communities after the program ends.”

Dr. Brown says the participants’ motivation and depth of learning often exceed her expectations.

“You’re doing things I usually see college students doing,” she told students.

She finds it especially inspiring to witness students’ “aha” moments during class.

“It’s when everything clicks, when they suddenly realize, ‘I can do this,’” she said.

She also values the cultural diversity of the group and learns from it every year.

“It’s so cool to meet students from places I’ve never been,” she said, “and to see you all learning from each other.”

Program participants consistently describe transformative experiences that extend far beyond academic learning.

As a Mongolian participant in the TechGirls program, I had the chance to meet incredible young women from many countries and inspiring professors, learning not only about technology but also the power of global collaboration.

For many of the girls, the program marks a turning point in how they view themselves and their potential.

Margarita Szamosi, from Greece, admitted she was nervous before arriving.

“I thought I wouldn’t understand anything and that I’d fall behind,” she said.

Instead, she found herself fully engaged, learning fast, and bonding deeply with her peers.

“We became like a family,” she said, “and I really don’t want to leave.”

Margarita also celebrated her birthday during the program, something she had never done away from home.

“I was worried it would feel lonely, but it was actually one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had,” she said.

She described TechGirls as not just a STEM program, but a space where kindness, curiosity, and connection thrive.

For Aditi Naidu from Fiji, the cultural exchange was just as powerful as the science.

“I was scared to meet people from different backgrounds,” she said, “but now this feels like one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.”

Aditi’s favorite part of the program was learning how to model and mutate proteins using PyMOL.

She joined the molecular modeling class and worked on studying beta-lactamase, a protein linked to antibiotic resistance.

“I never thought I’d be working at this level in high school,” she said.

A participant from Türkiye agreed, saying the tools and knowledge she gained felt like a rare opportunity.

“We explored what happens inside our bodies at a molecular level,” she said, “and it made biology feel real.”

Outside the lab, participants also formed lasting connections through events such as a community barbeque, where students shared traditions, danced, and sampled foods from their home countries.

Iris Weisstein, from the United States, said it was one of the most memorable parts of the entire program.

“We got to see everyone express themselves and celebrate who they are,” she said.

Iris, who initially came with a strong interest in physics, found herself fascinated by biology again after joining the program.

“I just finished my big biology test before this summer, and I thought I was done with it,” she said, “but TechGirls helped me rediscover it.”

She also developed a community project that will pair older high school students with younger ones to promote STEM mentorship in her local schools.

Every TechGirl creates a Community Action Project to bring what they’ve learned back home.

These projects are part of what makes the program sustainable and deeply impactful.

“TechGirls means being part of a global family,” said Iris.

Margarita shared the same sentiment, calling it a network of knowledge, love, and shared dreams.

“I now have friends in so many countries,” she said, “and I feel like I’ll always have a place to go and someone to talk to.”

Dr. Brown encourages all aspiring alumni who want to continue pursuing STEM education and careers to take the leap.

“Don’t let fear stop you,” she said.

She advised alumni that there is no harm in applying for things, if you get it, great; if not, it simply wasn’t meant to be.

“Just apply, just try, and take every opportunity.”

TechGirls lasts only a few weeks, but its lessons, friendships, and inspiration stay with the girls for a lifetime.

For many of them, it’s not just a program.

It’s the beginning.