Our Oldest alumna, Valerie Truong

Since our founding in 1997 as Chengdu's first international school, we've grown from just 18 students and four dedicated teachers. This week, we had the joy of reconnecting with our oldest alumna, Valerie Truong, after 25 years! She attended CDIS from 1997-2000. It was truly inspiring to listen to her insights about the changes she's witnessed and recognize how our mission and vision have stayed true and guided us through the years.

**For Current CDIS Students, 3 Words of Wisdom **
_There are hard things in life, and they are necessary. _
Because when you look back, you'll realize that happened for a reason, and now you have something. Whether it's a skill set, a memory, or how you approach the world, it's a very valuable that you would never have without that experience.

If you want something... Do it.
As long as it's not harming anyone or anything. I think in life, we inhibit ourselves a lot. We always say it's okay, I can't do this because I am in this situation, or I can't do this because people are going to judge me. We hold ourselves back in a lot of ways. So, whatever you want to do, you do it.

Curiosity is a messenger
If you're curious about something, it means that your life is sending you a signal to look into it, explore it. What do you want to learn? What does your life need? I was curious about the school. What's going on now? And I'm here, exploring it!