Columbia International College

Chen An (China)
Former school: GuangDong Experimental School, GuangZhou, PRC
Accepted to:

• University of Toronto - Rotman School of management ($3,000 scholarship)
• Queen's (C$9000 Scholarship)
• McMaster ($3000 Scholarship)
• York ($3000 Scholarship)
• Boston University

Chen An, a May 2010 graduate, is an unassuming young man who has a quiet confidence and is full of dreams. He wants to change the world, and he has started by changing himself.

A Journey to Success

Chen is one of the top students in his graduating class and his is a story that shows hard work and sheer determination always pay off in the end. In the fall of 2008, Chen made his parents a promise: that he would be successful. He has kept that promise and has now been accepted to some of the world’s top universities, including Boston University where he plans to pursue his undergraduate degree in accounting.

A Promise to Leap Higher

Chen has always dreamed of entering a top university. When he finished high school, at Guang Dong Experimental High School in China, Chen ranked 800 out of 1000. He had two choices; he could either attend Shen Zhen University for Public Media or explore educational opportunities abroad. Chen chose the latter.
“Because my performance was not the best I could not attend a good university in China so my parents encouraged me to go abroad,” says Chen.

He came to Columbia in October 2008 and says this is one of the best decisions he could have made. “I am happy I came here. I wanted to achieve my dreams and go to a top university. I was not really a good student back in China so I wanted to transform myself. I promised my parents before I left that I would be successful. I have a good average now and I got offers from some of the world’s top universities,” says Chen. For someone as quiet and unassuming as Chen is, he has achieved a lot during his time at Columbia. With an average over 95%, Chen is in the top percentile of his graduating class.

His Secret to Staying on Top

If you ask Chen what the secret to his success is, he laughs and says there is no secret. He believes that everyone knows what it takes to succeed but not everyone has the determination to do so. He has found that three things have helped him stay on top of his work and attain good grades. “The first one is to be confident, the second one is learning how to manage your time and the last one is being active. I could do it because of my determination,” he says.

Chen has also developed a love for the Hamilton Public Library, where he can be found studying or reading a book nearly everyday. Chen’s stellar grades have gotten him accepted to:

Chen, who plans to study accounting in university, attributes a large part of his success to the staff at Columbia. Like many students from non-English speaking countries, Chen found the transition to studying in Canada challenging.

Improvement in English brings Greater Confidence

“When I first came to Columbia my English was not very good. I could hardly understand what my teacher was saying in class. I asked the Liaison Officers for help and they answered my questions patiently. They are fabulous!” says Chen. He started off in the ESL program to improve his English and right from the get-go he felt that Columbia’s teachers made a difference in his studies.

Initially afraid to ask questions, Chen found teachers encouraged him to raise his hand in class and ask questions. This allowed him to develop confidence that helped him academically and socially. He believes confidence is the most important thing Columbia has given him.

This new-found confidence has encouraged Chen to become an active member of the school community. He is a peer tutor, Student Council member and for the last two semesters he has played intramural basketball as part of one of the school’s best teams.

“Before I came to Canada I didn’t really have much confidence in myself, but through [my] one-and-half years [at Columbia] my academic performance and extracurricular activities have given me more self confidence,” he says.

Chen’s teachers believe he is an exemplary student. “With his analytical mind and strong attention to detail, Chen has really hit his stride at CIC. Through his hard work and special aptitude for the numbers involved in business, he developed himself into a star accounting pupil and has set himself up for what should be a very bright, successful future.” says Mr. Fitzpatrick, Chen’s Grade 11 and 12 Accounting teacher.

Chen credits his teachers with inspiring him to succeed by encouraging him to push himself, think outside the box and plan for the future.

Columbia Made the Difference

“When I look back, I feel the Total Care Education System® was there for me. “It has helped me a lot, not only in academics but also in daily my life,” says Chen. He credits Total Care® and the staff at Columbia with helping him to achieve academic success.

Columbia’s unique education system has allowed Chen to maximize his potential by providing guidance and support. He believes that Columbia is an excellent choice for students who are determined to enter the world’s top universities “If I can succeed in Columbia I think everyone has the ability to,” says Chen.

Chen looks forward to the next step in his journey to success. Chen we wish you all the best!