Sunrise at Angkor Wat: Karen Jansen's Transformative Moment
- Editorial team
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
At sunrise over Angkor Wat, Karen Jansen, Miss Belgium 2025, experienced the moment that changed everything. At 23 years old, this psychology student and model from Limburg – crowned on February 15, 2025, in De Panne – proudly carried her flag there during a humanitarian mission in Cambodia.
This trip is more than personal: by sharing her stunning images of Angkor on social media, Karen boosts Cambodia's image as a destination for heart and spirituality. It's ideal spotlighting for Khmer tourism, attracting travelers seeking authenticity and humanitarian engagement beyond the beaten path.
Radiant among the soaring towers and millennia-old bas-reliefs of this Khmer jewel listed by UNESCO, she led holistic wellness workshops for vulnerable children, distributed educational kits, and meditated with monks under the encroaching jungle.
"My journey in Cambodia will be etched in me forever. The warmth of the people, the resilience in their smiles, and the profound lessons I encountered there have deeply touched my heart," she confides in a moving statement also marking the end of her reign.
As Belgium's representative on the international stage and a devotee of holistic wellness, Karen today announces her farewell: "It has been an incredible honor to serve as your Miss Belgium and to represent our country on humanitarian missions around the world. Carrying our flag, not only in moments of celebration, but also in those of compassion and service, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life."
It was at the Angkor sanctuary that a Buddhist wisdom struck her: "Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment." A call to live fully, love deeply, and serve with intention.
"I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to live these meaningful moments and to witness the power of humanity beyond borders. Thank you, Belgians, for allowing me to realize this dream. I will cherish them always."
Back home, Karen Jansen is already looking to the future – mental health, social commitments? A Miss transformed by Angkor, ready to conquer new heights without her crown.
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