Jackie Xu: EGMO 2026 Report
This year, I had the amazing opportunity to represent New Zealand at the European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) 2026 in Bordeaux, France. It was a memorable experience where I got to encounter challenging maths problems, learn more about the French culture, and have the chance to meet many talented students from around the world.
Before we even arrived in France, we had mock exams in Auckland helping us prepare for the competition. These were a really useful way to build focus and stamina before the actual contest. After we arrived in Bordeaux, we did our second mock exam in our Airbnb. We also attended a pastry tour where we walked around some parts of Bordeaux to see some famous tourist destinations and try out pastries. Then we arrived at the hotel on Thursday, which was the first day of the event for us. It was exciting to finally be there and realise that the competition we had been preparing for was about to begin.
On Day 2, we took part in a treasure hunt, which was a fun and relaxed way to get to know the city and meet people from other countries. One of my favourite parts of EGMO was being surrounded by so many girls who shared a love of mathematics. Later that day, we attended the opening ceremony, which made the event feel even more special and official.
On Day 3, we sat Exam 1. I found it quite challenging, but it was still rewarding to work through problems in such a high-level competition setting. On Day 4, we completed Exam 2. Although the papers were difficult, taking part itself was a valuable experience. One of the things I enjoyed most was seeing the creativity of olympiad mathematics and how each problem required not just knowledge, but persistence and different ways of thinking.
After the exams, there were also opportunities to explore the area and enjoy activities outside mathematics. On Day 5, we visited Saint-Émilion, which was a beautiful and memorable excursion.
Another excursion during the trip was to the Dune of Pilat, which was an unforgettable experience. It was a nice contrast to the intensity of the exams and gave us the chance to appreciate more of the local environment and spend time together as a team.
Attending EGMO has definitely increased my awareness of the range of career paths in science and technology. Through meeting other participants and attending activities such as the women in science event, I could see more clearly how mathematics can lead into many different fields, including research, engineering, and technology. It also inspired me to keep pursuing maths and related subjects, because I saw firsthand how valuable mathematical thinking is and how many opportunities it can open up.
Participating in EGMO with like-minded students was also a major benefit. It was encouraging to be in an environment where everyone was passionate about maths and eager to challenge themselves. That made me feel more motivated and reminded me that enjoying difficult problems is something to be proud of.
Looking back, I think I learnt that I am able to stay calm and keep trying even when I find something very difficult.
Overall, EGMO 2026 was an unforgettable experience. I enjoyed the maths, the friendships, the excursions, and the chance to represent New Zealand internationally. It was both challenging and inspiring, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend.
