A Leap Into the Unknown

In September 2015, 17-year-old Kenza embarked on a life-changing journey from Casablanca, Morocco, to the shores of Kuncheng Lake in Changshu, China. As one of the founding students of UWC Changshu China, she joined a diverse cohort of young pioneers from over 50 countries and regions. Together, these young students began shaping a new chapter, building a community from the ground up.

Kenza's connection to UWC began with a news article shared by her parents. The story painted UWC as an inclusive global community where students from diverse backgrounds learn and grow together. Captivated, she applied twice before receiving her acceptance letter. Looking back, Kenza recalls the excitement and uncertainty: "I knew nothing about Changshu back then, there was no information online. I even thought I was heading to UWC Hong Kong!" With a mix of anticipation and curiosity, she set off for China.

Shaping Campus Culture from Scratch: A Journey of Self-Discovery

Arriving in China for the first time as both an international student and a UWC "founding member," Kenza faced a mix of emotions. Beyond the excitement of a new environment, as a non-native English speaker, she navigated language barriers, homesickness, and the pressure to make every moment count. "I left home with a deep love for it," she reflects. "There was a real trade-off. Leaving home meant giving up something truly meaningful, so being at UWC had to be worth it. I knew I was here for a reason, not just to study, but to grow. That's why I sought out every opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute. I wanted to make the experience count, and it did!"

The campus buzzed with creative energy. With no established traditions, students were free to invent their own. "At UWC, we created our culture from scratch. We could explore and design things as we wanted," Kenza explains. For example, a student-painted parking lot mural became an annual tradition, capturing the spirit of innovation from their first year.

▲ In 2016, during Project Week, Kenza wore traditional Miao clothing to engage in community service in Ganhaizi Village, Yunnan.

Community service became an important part of Kenza's UWC experience. Weekly visits to a local autism center taught her the power of connection. "Service wasn't just about helping others, it was about breaking out of our bubble and engaging with the world beyond campus."

Living and studying with peers from different countries and regions has given Kenza the opportunity to understand people from diverse cultural backgrounds. These classmates were full of creative ideas, and were always enthusiastic about putting their ideas into practice. Kenza joined her Hong Kong classmates, Esther Fan and Michelle Wang, in the Renovare eco-fashion show project. They organized a highly successful event in Shanghai, showcasing student-designed dresses made entirely from transformed trash. The show raised 1.3 million CNY for environmental causes.

▲ 2017 Renovare eco-fashion show project

Kenza credits the environment's creative freedom for empowering her to bring ideas to life from organizing events, launching projects, and learning through experimentation. This hands-on approach gradually gave her the confidence to embrace leadership. Theatre classes became an unexpected cornerstone of this journey. Having been rooted in the sciences, she'd never explored performance art before; these classes unleashed her curiosity, pushing her to experiment fearlessly.

"Theatre taught me that when your actions feel intentional and true to you, other people's opinions matter less. That's shaped how I lead today, with empathy, understanding, and care. We learned through improv and role-playing, picking up lessons naturally without even realizing it."

Human Connections: 

Warmth Beyond Cultural Divides

At UWC, Kenza formed many precious lifelong friendships. "I was in the Hogan House then in Bari. House life was a joy: we played games, had daily end-of-day check-ins, celebrated birthdays, cooked together, and even teased each other over accidental fridge food mix-ups. When facing academic or daily challenges, my friends and I learned from and supported one another. Ours was a small group at the time, which made the experience all the more intimate. The care from teachers also warmed my heart deeply."

Mirette Ibrahim, a fellow founding student, is now Kenza's colleague at the World Economic Forum. "Nearly a decade after our time at UWC, I couldn't be prouder to work with my dear friend Mirette at the Forum. Back then, we were not just good friends but neighbors, our rooms were right next to each other. Life has come full circle, and this reunion feels like a blessing."

▲ Kenza & Mirette (2015 vs. 2025)

Kenza's meaningful connections extended beyond classmates and dormmates. 

Aunt Lu, a community cleaning lady who shared Kenza's birthday, left a lasting impression. "She was like my Chinese mother. I vividly remember her giving me a birthday cake on our shared day. Even without a common language, we connected deeply: she invited me to her home, took me to weddings, and shared homemade dishes. When I returned from Morocco, I'd bring her gifts, and we'd ride her motorcycle together. Our bond was truly special."

▲ Kenza & Aunt Lu

After graduating from UWC Changshu, Kenza attended Wellesley College, majoring in International Relations and Environmental Studies, a choice that aligned seamlessly with UWC's educational mission. "When applying to university, I had no specific profession in mind. It was a natural transition for me. UWC sparked my passion for these two fields. Driven by curiosity, I wanted to deepen my knowledge and carry forward the intellectual enthusiasm I'd found there."

As a UWC alumna, Kenza benefited from special opportunities at Wellesley. The president hosted an annual reception for UWC students, even inviting them to her home. Academically, she received funding through the Shelby Davis program, participated in courses, and joined projects in India and Siberia, opportunities that typically required student loans but were partially subsidized for UWC students, easing her financial burden.

She worked at the Davis Museum in Wellesley, funded by the Shelby Davis family (his mother and grandmother were alumnae). Later, at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, where she earned a Master's in International Affairs focused on sustainability, she discovered the Davis Library, also funded by Shelby Davis and his wife. "Looking back, I was amazed to see Shelby Davis had been part of my whole educational journey," she says.

Today, Kenza works at the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Community (GSC), empowering and supporting young people worldwide. As a key WEF initiative, the GSC is a global youth network of over 11,000 changemakers in 500 cities across 150+ countries, dedicated to developing youth leaders, accelerating youth action and amplifying youth voices, ensuring young people shape the present and future.

The GSC feels like the 'adult version' of UWC. We believe in young people's collective power to create change. The spirit of UWC and its emphasis on intercultural understanding and collective action remain a guiding force in my work. 

At UWC CSC, I learned how to navigate complex global conversations while valuing diverse perspectives. These lessons resonate deeply in my responsibilities at the Forum, where collaboration and dialogue are at the heart of creating impact.

As Community Manager for the Middle East and North Africa region, Kenza focuses on fostering an entrepreneurial environment for youth-led initiatives to address urgent challenges and grow into agents of social change. Her work also emphasizes leadership development, global community engagement, and deepening the participation of Shapers and alumni in WEF activities. She supports their growth by providing learning opportunities, practical tools, and resources.

"My job is to ensure their work gets visibility and support. We organize events to bring young people together: our annual summit in Geneva, the Davos Annual Meeting (a major international event), and, in 2023, I attended the Tianjin Summer Davos Forum, which was the first time I came back to China after graduating from UWC Changshu."

▲ In 2025, Kenza attended the WEF

 Annual Meeting for the third time.

To UWC's current students, Kenza advises: "Cherish the experiences, friendships, and connections you are building. The skills and networks you develop here can open doors to opportunities where you can make a real difference. Enjoy, have fun, and be in the present moment because you will have time to study and work later. Don't worry too much about which school to go to or what's going to happen to you, because whatever is meant for you will come."

Looking to the future, she hopes to continue serving others, exploring new opportunities, and enjoying time with her loved ones, her family, and friends, keeping it very normal and simple.