Five young women from Panama who participated in the CyberWizards cybersecurity camp in Estonia in August 2025, supported by the EU-funded LAC4 project, report that the experience has decisively shaped their academic and career paths, with several now committed to pursuing cybersecurity or software engineering. In a reflection published on 27 July 2026 by the EU Delegation to Panama, the participants describe how the camp boosted their confidence, language skills, and interest in technology, and they call for more such opportunities for girls in a male-dominated field.
The camp, organised by Estonia's Information System Authority, brought together over 80 girls from ten countries for a week of team-based digital skills training. The five Panamanian participants — Katherin Dayana Camacho, Daniela Camargo, Yaizara Aurora, Janna Ramos, and Saret Medina — were sponsored by LAC4, an EU project that continues to support the initiative, this year funding participants from the Bahamas. One year on, the young women say the camp was a turning point: Camacho switched her plans from aviation to cybersecurity, Medina abandoned veterinary or architecture studies for the same field, and Ramos, who doubted her aptitude for tech, now aims to study software engineering. Camargo confirmed her interest in digital forensics, while Aurora discovered a passion for teaching cybersecurity to peers with fewer resources.
The participants also highlight the camp's role in fostering independence, English proficiency, and cross-cultural teamwork. Ramos used her experience to give a presentation at her new school, sparking interest among classmates. They stress the importance of targeted programmes for girls, noting that many female peers lack access to tech training. The EU Delegation's press release frames the testimonials as evidence that the camp's impact extends well beyond the week itself, opening doors to future study and career opportunities in cybersecurity.