Zoe Hamel

Background

About Zoe Hamel

Growing up in France, I developed a deep passion for sports, excelling as a national-level tennis player. This passion led me to the United States, where I played NCAA Division 1 Tennis at UNC Asheville while pursuing a double major in Mathematics and Economics. Education and sports have been my constants, shaping my personal and professional journey. After earning a Master's in Mathematics from the University of British Columbia, I embarked on an adventurous solo bike ride across the Canada, cycling from coast to coast over three months. I spent 2 years on the African continent (South Africa, Senegal, and eSwatini) working in Education from teaching assistant for a Masters program to teaching the International Baccalaureate. In South Africa, I embraced trail running and participated in my first ultra-trail race in Cape Town. My time in eSwatini was transformative, co-leading a student hiking expedition that showed me the power of outdoor education on students. At United World Colleges (UWC), I've contributed to both academic and extracurricular initiatives. I’ve established an outdoor program in Mostar, trained students for races ranging from 5km to 21km, and fostered an environment where students can thrive physically, mentally, and academically. Through my work in education and sports, I am dedicated to providing students with opportunities to challenge themselves, grow, and experience the transformative power of both learning and physical activity.