Perseverance in Balance：CISK Professional Squash Player Aric

As a valued student of DP, Aric is not only committed to his academic pursuits but also a dedicated professional squash player who has invested long-term, consistent effort in honing his skills at the professional level, demonstrating remarkable perseverance in both his academic and athletic journeys.

Recently, we captured a glimpse of his regular squash training session—no pre-match nerves, no post-competition recap, just the raw essence of consistent effort: repeated rallies, swift movements, split-second judgments, and constant rhythm adjustments that define his training routine.

Squash, a fast-paced and high-intensity niche sport, demands intense concentration, quick reflexes, and excellent physical coordination. It provides a unique insight into a student’s approach to learning and engagement, reflecting the same perseverance required in academic pursuits.

Aric began playing squash at 6. While most of his peers gave up along the way, his daily training solidified his resolve to pursue a professional squash career. Beyond his studies, he devotes himself to court training, striving to seek a balance between academics and athletic practice. 

At CISK, Aric chose the squash in his extracurrucular activities (CCA) programe. Through CISK's partnership with Duke Kunshan University (DKU), he gained access to the DKU's squash courts. Beyond after-school sessions, he also secured regular training opportunities during school hours.

Beyond the standard IB curriculum, CISK integrates on- and off-campus resources and community partnerships to offer diverse choices that ignite passion and unlock potential. From Aric's squash journey to other CCAs, CISK fosters students’ creativity, critical thinking, resilience, and teamwork—empowering students to discover their identity, forge unique paths, and live out CISK's educational vision.

On the squash court, Aric trains with the intensity and rigor required of a professional athlete, focusing fully on every shot, turn, and technique detail to improve his performance. Off the court, he seamlessly returns to his academic duties— a balance made possible by CISK’s flexible support system for students like him on professional paths. Balancing high-intensity professional athletic training and steady academic progress is challenge, but Aric navigates it gracefully here at CISK.

As an inclusive and diverse community, CISK offers tailored academic schedules that respect students' individual learning paces. This student-centered approach supports Aric in his professional career paths.  Academic learning and professional training are not opposites, but complementary - the skills acquired through competitive sports enhance their academic abilities.

Through CISK’s flexible and personalized support system, combined with the skills developed through IB Diploma Program, the experience gained in classrooms, on courts, and extracurricular activities, Aric gradually master time management, energy allocation, and the self-discipline essential for long-term growth and success in both academics and professional sports. 

At CISK, we tailor our educational programs to meet student's unique needs—empowering them to pursue academic excellence, supporting their career aspirations, and preparing them for success in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.

作为 CISK 国际文凭课程（DP）阶段的一名学生，Aric 不仅专注于学业发展，同时也是一名长期投入专业训练的壁球运动员。在学术与运动两条道路上，他以持续而稳定的努力，展现了难得的坚持与韧性。

不久前，我们记录了 Aric 一次日常的壁球训练。没有赛前的紧张情绪，也不是赛后的复盘回顾，镜头呈现的是训练中最真实的状态——反复的挥拍、迅速的移动、瞬间的判断，以及不断调整节奏的过程，这些共同构成了他日复一日的训练日常。

作为一项节奏快、强度高的小众运动，壁球对专注力、反应速度和身体协调能力都有着极高的要求。这项运动，也为我们提供了一个独特的视角，去观察学生在学习与投入过程中的状态——这种坚持，与学术学习中所需要的专注与毅力如出一辙。

Aric 在 6 岁时开始接触壁球。在成长过程中，许多同龄人逐渐放弃了这项运动，而他却在日复一日的训练中，逐渐坚定了走向职业壁球道路的决心。在完成学业之余，他将大量时间投入到球场训练中，努力在学术学习与运动实践之间寻找平衡。

在 CISK，Aric 将壁球作为自己的课外活动（CCA）之一。通过学校与昆山杜克大学（DKU）的合作，他获得了使用 DKU 壁球场地的机会。除了放学后的训练外，他也能够在校内学习时间中，获得稳定而系统的训练安排。

在 IB 课程体系之外，CISK 还整合校内外资源与社区合作，为学生提供多样化的发展选择，激发热情、释放潜能。从 Aric 的壁球之路，到其他学生参与的各类 CCA 项目，学校始终致力于培养学生的创造力、批判性思维、抗压能力与团队合作精神，帮助他们逐步认识自我，探索独特的发展路径，践行 CISK 的教育理念。

在球场上，Aric 以一名职业运动员的标准要求自己，全神贯注于每一次击球、转身与技术细节，不断提升竞技水平；而离开球场后，他又迅速回到课堂，投入到稳定而有序的学术学习中。这种在高强度训练与持续学业之间的平衡，离不开 CISK 为学生提供的灵活支持体系。对于走在专业道路上的学生而言，这种平衡并不容易，但 Aric 在 CISK 的学习环境中，逐渐找到了适合自己的节奏。

作为一个高度包容、多元的学习社区，CISK 尊重学生个体的学习节奏与发展需求，并提供相应的个性化课程安排。这种以学生为中心的教育方式，为 Aric 在专业发展道路上的探索提供了有力支持。在这里，学术学习与专业训练并非对立，而是相互补充——竞技体育中所培养的能力，同样能够反哺学术学习。

在 CISK 灵活而个性化的支持体系下，结合 IB 文凭课程所培养的核心能力，以及在课堂、球场与课外活动中不断积累的经验，Aric 逐渐掌握了时间管理、精力分配与自我约束的能力，为在学业与专业体育领域中的长期发展奠定了坚实基础。

在 CISK，我们始终根据学生的个体需求设计教育路径——既支持学术卓越的发展，也尊重并支持学生的职业志向，帮助他们在日益紧密联结的全球环境中，做好面向未来的准备。