HUGE congratulations to Aidana Akan, one of CIC’s top high-achieving students whose dedication to science and academic excellence has earned an outstanding amount of scholarship from leading universities across Canada!

✅ How has your experience shaped the way you approach challenges in life?

Spending four years here has shaped me more than I could ever describe. I came in not really knowing what to expect, but being at CIC taught me how to be independent, focused, and resilient. Living in residence and attending school every day gave me a strong routine and taught me how to take responsibility for myself. This experience turned me from someone just starting out into someone with a clear sense of direction and goals. It pushed me to dream bigger and reach higher.

✅ How did you manage your time between studying for exams and preparing university applications?

Balancing exams and university applications was definitely a challenge, but staying organized helped me stay on track. I created a small schedule to separate my time, some days I focused more on studying, and others I dedicated to writing personal statements or reviewing application requirements. I also made sure to take small breaks to avoid burnout. Being in a supportive environment where everyone was working toward similar goals really motivated me to stay consistent.

✅ What would you say is your greatest strength, and how has it helped you succeed academically and personally?

I’d say my greatest strength is being social and open to people. I truly enjoy being around others, and I feel like my personality is shaped by the people I surround myself with. This helped me not only build strong friendships but also learn from different perspectives, which made me grow as a person) Whether it was working on group projects or just sharing experiences, I learned so much from the people around me.