Ananya Chopra’s Post

There are few spaces in the world where you walk in feeling unsure of yourself and leave knowing—without a shadow of a doubt—that you belong. Kode With Klossy is one of them. I first joined KWK as a Data Science scholar, uncertain of what to expect but drawn in by the idea of learning alongside other young women who were just as curious and ambitious. By the end of camp, I had gained more than technical skills—I had witnessed the power of representation, of mentorship, of seeing women take up space in tech without hesitation. Later, as an Instructor Assistant, I saw the other side of that transformation—the immense planning and care that goes into making these camps a reality for thousands of scholars across the world. Behind every camp, there is months of work: designing curriculum, setting up logistics, preparing instructors, ensuring every scholar has the support they need. But what truly makes KWK different isn’t just the code. It’s the culture. I’ve seen scholars go from hesitating to unmute themselves on Day 1 to leading final project presentations with a voice so steady, so full of confidence, that you wouldn’t believe it had only been ten days. I’ve watched friendships form over late-night debugging sessions, over shared laughter in Culture of Tech discussions, over the sheer thrill of finally getting something to work. And the learning doesn’t stop with technical skills. KWK brings some of the most powerful voices in tech into the room. I’ve had the privilege of sitting in on conversations with, Naomi Gleit, Deepa Subramaniam, Aisha Bowe and Ginger Victor just to name a few. These weren’t just speaker sessions. They were blueprints for what’s possible. They were moments that cracked open the idea of what we could achieve, of how far we could go. It was in one of these sessions that I heard Naomi say: “When you’re getting on a rocketship, don’t ask which seat.” She also said “Confidence is the output, courage is the input.” These have stayed with me ever since. Because KWK didn’t just teach me how to code—it taught me how to step into rooms with certainty, how to back myself even when I was unsure, how to move forward anyway. Today, on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I celebrate Kode With Klossy. Not just for the opportunities it creates, but for the belief it instills—for proving, year after year, that when women are given the tools, the support, and the space, there is no limit to what we can build. And a special shoutout to the IAs and instructors I’ve had the absolute joy of working with. Megan Lu—my rock climbing twin, Maggie Christoffersen, Carissa Yu , Anna Li, Brianna Ifft and Khadija Bangura for always making camp brighter. S/O Ume Habiba and Alexis Williams for stepping in so seamlessly as hosts and beyond. You all embody everything that makes this community so special.💚 🚀Here’s to every scholar, mentor, and instructor who ever doubted themselves—and to every single one who left knowing better.