Bel was born in Amsterdam but grew up in Hattem, a small town in the eastern Netherlands. From a young age, her parents instilled in her the belief that the world was at her feet. Little did they know, she would take that quite literally.
Her passion for travel began early. Family vacations introduced her to different places and countries, mostly within Europe. But when Bel was twelve, the family made a transformative trip to Suriname, where her grandfather had been born. They explored the country—its cities, natural parks, and jungle—and Bel’s love for travel was sparked. From then on, travel wasn’t just about vacations; it became one of her passions. Her family continued to explore the world together, visiting places like Vietnam, Cuba, and Thailand. By sixteen, Bel had already seen so much of the world that she thought, Why stop now?
At the age of 16, she realized her dreams didn’t just have to be about traveling—they could also be about pursuing something extraordinary. If the world was at her feet, why not leap toward a new challenge? This mindset led to one of the best decisions of her life: moving to the United States on a field hockey scholarship.
Hockey and the Path to Northwestern
Bel’s love for hockey started early. At just two years old, she famously said, “Bel ook hokken,” meaning she wanted to play. She had to wait a few more years but, by six, she was rarely seen without a stick in hand. She started playing at a small club in Hattem, often playing with older teammates. As she progressed through school, Bel moved to a bigger club in Zwolle, where she played at the highest level. It was here she learned about the opportunity for Dutch athletes to earn scholarships to study in the U.S.
At seventeen, Bel was fully committed to the idea of studying and playing hockey in the States. She ultimately chose Northwestern University, one of the top-ranked schools in both academics and athletics, even though she wasn’t sure about making the leap. But it was a risk worth taking.
Her four years at Northwestern were amazing and transformative. Bel became one of the team’s best players and grew into a natural leader, both on and off the field. But more than anything, she grew as a person. The shy, insecure girl who left for the U.S. returned confident, outgoing, and ready for any challenge. She graduated with a degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Psychology.
A Passion for Learning and Growth
For Bel, “the world is at your feet” wasn’t just about traveling; it was about making the most of life academically and professionally. At Gymnasium Celeanum she developed strong analytical skills by studying Latin and Greek. At Northwestern, she broadened her education, taking courses among others in leadership, public speaking, sociology, and statistics next to her Communications degree.
Yet, despite her degree, she felt like she was missing a deeper understanding of how the world works and how to better it. So, after returning to Amsterdam, she embarked on a second bachelor’s degree in Human Geography & Urban Planning. Since she already had a bachelor’s degree, she completed this one in just two years before moving on to a research master’s in Urban Studies.
During her master’s, Bel specialized in Geographical Information Systems (GIS)—a technology used to map and analyze spatial data. When the pandemic hit, she saw her semester abroad canceled, but she turned the setback into an opportunity. She used the time to dive deeper into GIS and coding, refining skills that would shape her career.
From GIS to a Traineeship at Geodan
Near the end of her studies, Bel landed a traineeship at Geodan, a leading geo-IT company in the Netherlands. Over three years, she worked on several diverse projects—from analyzing GIS data at water management authorities to developing training modules for software used in construction. Her final role as a business analyst had her bridging the gap between developers and managers, helping them make sense of complex data. Through all of this, Bel learned to be adaptable, flexible, and confident in analyzing and solving problems across various industries.
The Open Sea and New Adventures
After years of travel and academic growth, Bel’s next adventure took her out onto the open sea. While Bart needed some time to adjust to the new lifestyle, Bel fell in love with life aboard their sailing yacht right from the start. She’s always been the explorer—constantly seeking out new destinations, whether they be hidden anchorages or untouched natural wonders. She thrives on finding those secluded spots where it feels like she’s completely lost in nature.
But Bel’s love for the sea doesn’t just stop at exploration—she’s also the boat’s official fisherwoman. She’s turned fishing into a culinary adventure, catching fresh fish and preparing dishes like sushi, sashimi, ceviche, and fish tacos. For Bel, every day on the boat is about combining the beauty of nature with the joy of good food.
Bel has embraced this life fully. She’s always excited to move on to the next destination, ready to explore more of the world. Her mentality is simple: there is so much to see, and there’s little time to waste—so even though they’re taking a couple of years for this adventure, she’s determined to make the most of every moment.
A New Chapter in Web Design
Along the way, Bel’s entrepreneurial spirit shone through. As Bart & Bel set off on their sailing adventure, they realized they needed a way to sustain themselves financially while also growing and developing professionally. Bel decided to grow her skills in web design and SEO, teaching herself how to build websites and optimize them for search engines. Through hard work and self-teaching, Bel has helped several clients build successful websites, turning this newfound skill into a flourishing remote business.
Bel’s journey is a testament to her adaptability, passion for learning, and love for adventure. From the classroom to the open sea, from GIS to web design, she’s proven time and time again that the world is not just at her feet—it’s her playground.
