When Brandon Wang started high school in 1990 at Canadian Overseas College (COC), now Canadian International School (CIS), there were just three students and a school still finding its feet. Thirty-five years on, he looks back on what it was like to grow with the school from day one, and how those early beginnings set his path into global finance.

You were one of the first three students at CIS. What was that experience like?

With just three of us, and more teachers than students, it was definitely unusual. It didn’t really feel like a typical school, more like a small family.

At that time, Canadian Overseas College was still being renovated, and only two classrooms on the first floor were ready for lessons. The school canteen didn’t open until later in 1991, so we walked down the slope to a small food court about five minutes away. I still remember the fishball soup, Cantonese-style roasted pork noodles, and watermelon juice. It was nothing fancy, but it became part of our routine.

The small class size meant we got a lot of attention from the teachers. Since it was our first time learning entirely in English, having that support made a huge difference. To encourage language fluency, our teacher had a system where we contributed 10 cents to the class funds if we didn’t speak in English. It does not sound like much today, but a plate of chicken rice in the 90s was $1.50, and without our parents around and tight allowances, we hustled to follow the rules!

How did the school change during your time there?

The school evolved from a very small cohort into a more structured and dynamic learning environment as more students joined. The school expanded its curriculum and introduced a range of subjects. This created more opportunities, including the chance for me to take Canadian Business Law.

One of my favourite memories is working in the science labs; doing real experiments, mixing chemicals that fizzed and smoked, and setting up physics tests to explore different laws and theories. It was very hands-on and engaging.

I stayed at CIS for three years and really enjoyed what I learnt, especially Calculus, Finite Math, and Accounting. Those subjects ended up setting me on my path into finance.

Since your time at CIS, what have you been up to?

After CIS, I went to a small liberal arts college in upstate New York, where I majored in Accounting and minored in Math. I started my career in Washington, D.C., at a real estate investment trust firm, while working toward my MBA in Finance at University of California, Irvine. I then returned to Taiwan, where I’m now an Associate Vice President at a leading mutual fund company, heading a team that helps global asset managers secure government pension mandates.

From your perspective, what qualities help young people succeed today?

In a fast-changing world, resilience is key. You need to be comfortable with uncertainty and willing to keep learning, especially with things like AI reshaping industries, and the way we work. Curiosity and lifelong learning help you stay relevant, and having a strong global network can open doors you didn’t even know existed. I have seen that play out firsthand in my career.

What advice would you give to your younger self today?

Lean into the tough stuff, whether it’s language barriers or new places, to build grit for the long haul. Nail basics like math and analysis, chase diverse experiences to broaden your worldview and start networking early as careers are built on trust, collaboration, and strong networks.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us, Brandon!