IGCSE Top in the World: Meet with Viktoria

In the 2025 IGCSE global examinations, Viktoria from the Sixth Form of Wellington College Education (China) - Hangzhou once again earned the Top in the World in Additional Mathematics and achieved A*/A grades across ten subjects. This marks the second consecutive year she has reached the pinnacle of global academic achievement, because while still in Year 10, she took the Mathematics (Early Entry) and attained the same international honour.

Viktoria's connection with China began decades earlier. In 1987, her father came to Tianjin as an international student, at a time when China was beginning to open up to the world. He witnessed the rapid development of its education system and society, experiencing firsthand the power of cultural exchange. Perhaps that is why, when their daughter had the opportunity to study in China, the family did not hesitate to rekindle ties with this land. This thread, woven across time and space, adds a gentle yet distinctive hue to Viktoria's growth journey.

Before coming to China, Viktoria began her education in England. She first built a solid academic foundation at a state primary school, then set her sights on The Perse School, one of Cambridge's most esteemed independent institutions. To prepare for the highly competitive entrance exam, her parents arranged for a mathematics tutor from China. Each week, they would study in a quiet corner on the second floor of a local Chinese restaurant. The aroma drifting up from the kitchen, the exercise books spread across the table, and the tutor's softly accented explanations of mathematical concepts became part of Viktoria's most distinctive study memories, quietly accelerating her mathematical progress until she earned a place at The Perse.

When Viktoria first entered The Perse, she stepped into a new world filled with outstanding pupils from around the globe. Classes moved at a fast pace, and academic standards were demanding. To keep up with her peers, she devoted considerable time to self-study and review. She recalls, “Everyone there worked extremely hard, and the overall pace was highly intense. I didn't particularly enjoy that high-pressure, but it was there that I learned to cope with challenges and established solid learning habits.”

She brought this enthusiasm and focus to her life at Wellington College Education (China) - Hangzhou. From her very first days, she displayed both calm self-assurance and strong intellectual curiosity. Her love of learning stemmed not from pressure, but from genuine interest and inner motivation. Teachers were impressed by her approach to difficult problems: when working through a complex mathematical question, she would explore multiple solutions repeatedly, never content with simply finding the answer, but striving to understand the logic behind it. This way of thinking lies at the heart of a Wellington College Education (China) – Hangzhou education: it is not merely about acquiring knowledge, but about learning how to think.

For her first few days at Wellington College Education (China) - Hangzhou, Viktoria felt nervous and worried about tackling the challenges of an unfamiliar country, a different culture and a new school, as any teenage girl would. She worried about fitting in and feared cultural and language differences might set her apart. Those concerns, however, faded within the first week. "I remember someone starting a conversation with me on the very first day, and I had made friends from around the world within days. I felt so welcomed, and it put me at ease right away."

She describes the campus atmosphere as 'open, inclusive and encouraging', which helped rebuild her confidence and gave her the courage to speak up and explore in lessons and activities.

The kindness shown by her peers provided her with a sense of belonging, and the teacher's support drives her to progress. She gives special recognition to several teachers in particular: "My biology, chemistry and mathematics teachers were all very supportive, and my Chinese teacher, Ms Song, was extraordinary."

Viktoria began studying Chinese two years later than her peers, starting from scratch. Yet within a short time, she not only caught up but achieved 97% in IGCSE Foreign Language Mandarin Chinese, earning full marks in both listening and writing.

"Ms Song spent countless hours tutoring me, beginning with the most basic Pinyin and vocabulary. Her patience never wavered, and she always believed I could make it. She taught me not only the Chinese language but also the power of perseverance and self-belief."

When talking about mathematics, Viktoria's eyes brighten: "I love maths because it's like a language that allows you to interpret the logic of the world." For her, the real challenge lies not in memorising formulas, but in learning to accept imperfection. "During my preparation for the exam, I realised my biggest weakness was carelessness. I eventually understood that the key to minimising errors isn't about technique, but about mindset. You have to remain calm under pressure to perform at your best when it counts the most."

Having earned two consecutive Top in the World in the IGCSE global examinations, Viktoria remains free from complacency. What she values is a motivation to continuously improve, a belief rooted in self-discipline. "People assume I'm always motivated, but I have lazy moments too," she says with a smile, "The difference lies in self-discipline. I don't wait for motivation, but tell myself 'just go for it', and let action generate momentum."

Viktoria's academic journey carries a distinct family imprint, continuing a legacy shaped by knowledge and cultural exchange.

Her father, Professor Imre Istvan Galambos, is a world-renowned scholar in Dunhuang studies and Tangut studies, a Chang Jiang Scholar, and is currently the Qiushi Chair Professor at Zhejiang University. After earning his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, he taught for many years at the University of Cambridge. He served on the board of the Needham Research Institute, a scholar who moves between Silk Road manuscripts and ancient civilisations.

Yet the identity of a scholar has never confined the family's worldview.

"I don't want her to be limited by any framework. My only expectation for her is that she keeps reading and remains curious," he says. As a child, Viktoria often accompanied her father, quietly turning the pages of ancient texts in the British Library or sitting in a corner of a university library, with sunlight streaming across the pages, illuminating her growing love for knowledge.

Her mother instilled in her a different kind of strength: resilience and focus. Being strict, detail-oriented and determined - these qualities have become defining traits in Viktoria's character.

"My mum was very strict. She asked me to complete twenty maths problems every day before dinner," Viktoria recalls with a smile. "I used to complain, but now I see that was what taught me self-discipline."

Beyond academics, Viktoria leads a rich and varied life. She has loved painting since the age of seven, using her brush to capture the world around her. After joining Wellington College Education (China) - Hangzhou, she began merging art with technology, exploring digital media, animation and font design. "I love this fusion as it allows me to strike a balance between logic and creativity."

She is also expanding her impact within the school community.

The Dream House charity initiative is one she holds especially dear. For two years, she worked with schoolmates to organise charity sales and events raising funds for underprivileged pupils. "It gives me a sense of achievement not to learn how much we raised, but the chance to offer others the opportunities I once received."

She also joined the Model United Nations club. "I wanted to practice spoken English at first, but I soon discovered how substantial the debates were. They taught me to think from the perspectives of different nations."

This year, she was elected Deputy Head of College of the Student Council. In this role, she coordinates campus activities and encourages her peers to balance academic commitments with personal life. She hopes her own journey can help others understand that effort is not oppression but a path to self-discovery. To her, growth is more than the sum of grades, but the accumulation of mindset, method and interest.

In her free time, Viktoria continues to nurture her love for reading and art. She can often be found in the library immersed in philosophy or literature, or at an easel experimenting with new forms of expression. She believes that cultivating diverse interests is also a form of learning, one that teaches her to blend logic with intuition, knowledge with creativity. Every quiet hour spent reading or painting is like honing the tools of thought and storing energy for future studies and life.

Her cross-cultural background offers her a unique perspective. Discussing issues with classmates from around the world has trained her to consider multiple viewpoints and reinforced that learning is never isolated; it is a continuous dialogue with the world. Whether in classroom debates or off-campus service, every interaction reminds her that true growth lies not only in personal ability, but also in broad-mindedness and a sense of responsibility.

It is this combination of academic pursuit, personal interest, and social engagement that has enabled Viktoria to find her own rhythm and direction. She understands that success is not defined by a single result but is built through persistence and reflection. This conviction provides a firm foundation for her next chapter, in which she pursues excellence while keeping curiosity and passion alive.

As our conversation draws to a close, Viktoria reflects softly on the meaning of learning. She speaks not of grades or targets, but simply notes, "I often remind myself that I don't need to be perfect. Learning isn't about how perfectly you take notes; it's about whether you've tried a little harder today."

Her voice is gentle yet carries quiet conviction. "Language grows through accumulation, mathematics through logical reasoning and the sciences through understanding assessment criteria. What matters most is to remain curious and never stop exploring."

Viktoria's story is one that crosses cultures, time and the self. Between the rigour of logic and the imagination of art, she has found her own balance, transforming 'Be You, Be More' from a motto into a way of life.

Behind her journey lies a more profound legacy: her father's conviction. Over thirty years ago, he arrived in Tianjin with youthful ideals and an understanding of China of that era; decades later, his daughter continues that cross-border connection in a new age and with a new identity.

"I hope that in the future, she will be free to choose, unconstrained by wealth or social expectations," he once shared. "True education is not about moulding a standardised pupil, but about helping a child become the best version of themselves."

Viktoria is still on her path. She explores, reflects and creates, learning more about the world through logic while embracing it with compassion. When a young person meets the unknown armed with love and curiosity, the true meaning of education comes to light.