By Ziyi Xiao, CIS student and David Jørgensen, CIS teacher
Why do students educated in China often excel in Mathematics? According to Ziyi Xiao, a student at Copenhagen International School (CIS), it’s a complex question. Cultural influences—like China’s competitive and rigorous education system—play a part. Ziyi, who began his education in Suzhou, recalls how Mathematics was given strong emphasis in his primary school.
After moving to Denmark, Ziyi continued to self-study to keep up with peers in China. While initially demotivated without structured lessons, a turning point came when he discovered the Georg Mohr Mathematics Competition. Entering at age 14 in 2023, he was younger than most participants. With dedicated preparation, he won—becoming one of around 50 selected from 2,000 entrants.
The competition opened new doors. Ziyi and his friend Igor Michalec (CIS Class of 2024) were the first CIS students in six years to win. They attended the Winners’ Seminar in Sorø, where Igor qualified for the Baltic Way international competition. A year later, Ziyi not only won again but also represented Denmark at Baltic Way in Estonia, forming lasting friendships with fellow math enthusiasts.
At CIS, Ziyi is giving back. He co-founded the Georg Mohr Math Club with Igor to support students interested in competitive math. “We wanted others to feel the same joy we did—and help them through the tough parts,” says Ziyi. Now in its second year, the club has seen students advance through both rounds of the competition. In 2025, Mike Zhang joined Ziyi as a national winner. Ziyi’s dream of competing in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) has now come true. He will represent Denmark at the 66th IMO in Australia—the first CIS student ever to do so. His story is one of talent, commitment, and community spirit—a legacy in the making.
