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What started as a simple step to help fund her studies turned into a life-changing journey for Zoe Bok, a Master of Social Work student at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). 

Bok’s story began when she applied for a campus work-study position as a First-Year Transition Officer. At the time, she described herself as someone who preferred to stay in the background. “I’m naturally quite shy and tend to keep to myself,” she shared.

Yet, through working with first-year students, she gradually built confidence and began stepping into spaces she once found intimidating.

It was this growth that caught the attention of her supervisors, who nominated her for the 2026 Siyaphumelela ATD DREAM Scholar programme, which brings together participants to explore “bold ideas and share a vision for the future of higher education”. 

The application process proved to be challenging and deeply personal. It required her to reflect honestly on her journey, something that did not come easily. With the guidance of her mentor, Elizabeth Booi, Bok was encouraged to embrace her full story. “It required me to really reflect and dig deep into my own story… she encouraged me to be more honest and open,” said Bok. Through this process, she began to see the strength in her own experiences.

Being selected as a finalist took her to Johannesburg, where she met other students with equally powerful stories. That experience was followed by an international trip to the United States, where she engaged with peers from across the world.

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While the travel itself was exciting, it was the people and the shared moments that left the greatest impact. “The highlight for me was definitely the people… listening to their journeys gave me a new perspective,” she reflected.

For Bok, the experience was not just about being in a new environment, but about connection and understanding. “When people are given that space, it builds connection, understanding and a sense of belonging,” she said. These moments of vulnerability and storytelling shaped how she now views student engagement and success.

She also spoke about the sense of disbelief and gratitude that came with the experience. “America felt like a place you only see in movies… so the thought of being there was both exciting and a little overwhelming,” she shared.

At the heart of Bok’s journey is a strong belief that students are more than their academic performance. Therefore, she is committed to creating spaces where students, “particularly those who may feel overlooked, feel seen, heard and valued… not just academically, but personally as well,” she said. She hopes to use storytelling as a tool to build connections and foster a sense of belonging among students.

Read Bok's poem I Think Not!