<h1>TechWomen Initiative - apply today!</h1>

by Akhila Iruku

What better way to learn about a day-in-the-life then actually meeting someone like you across the globe? The U.S. Department of State is helping to close the gap between women in technology through a peer-to-peer mentorship program around the world...talk about a long distance relationship. The TechWomen Initiative, sponsored in part by Google, fosters cross-cultural collaboration between women in MENA and women in the U.S. in STEM fields and empowers both to create positive social change. Emerging female leaders in MENA are paired with female professionals in the U.S. for a five-week long mentorship program to produce and implement a mutually beneficial project for the host country in MENA. One of the most significant outcomes of this experience to me would be gaining the perspective of obstacles women face in different climates and how we can encourage each other to step beyond our comfort zones. Understanding the work climate that professional women face across the globe provides a range of depth whose impact can only be embraced through a face to face interaction.

The TechWomen Initiative has opened up applications for this year’s program taking place between October 1st through November 1st. The deadline to apply is February 22nd, 2012. Visit the site www.techwomen.org for more information and do not forget to apply by the deadline that is rapidly approaching!