Ethan Bell ‘25
Daniel Lahtaw ‘25 possesses one of the most unique and diverse backgrounds among the students at Abington Friends School. However, many within the AFS community may not realize this, as Lahtaw has integrated himself into various aspects of school life, making him a familiar and involved presence. Having immigrated from Yangon, Myanmar, halfway across the world, to the United States, Lahtaw has quickly made his mark at AFS. He participates actively in numerous clubs, engages in sports, and engages in the classroom. Frequently, Lahtaw can be found interacting with a wide variety of students and faculty members; whether he’s hanging out with friends, studying, or engaging in deep and meaningful conversations. His social circles are diverse, reflecting his ability to connect with individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives, further enriching his experience and that of those around him at AFS.
Can you say your name and what year you are?
My name is Daniel Lahtaw, and I’m a senior in highschool.
How long have you been at AFS?
I’ve been here since the 9th grade.
Where are you from and how is it different from AFS and, more broadly, America?
I’m from Myanmar. I’d definitely say that America is a lot more developed than most of my old city. I’d say culturally we are more conservative , a lot of people don’t really want to stand out, whereas in America there is a lot more individual expression. Though I will say Myanmar is starting to become more like America, western media is starting to influence a lot of the culture and the youth there, so there will definitely be more changes.
What was your first impression of the school and community here?
When I first came, I thought it was a really big school. The facilities were really nice and I liked the open space like the patios near the gym and the pool. The only impression I had about the community was that this school really focused on discussions and community building. I’m still getting used to how much of our time goes into thinking about how to make the community better. As a freshman I didn’t really experience the whole community because of how nervous I was. I avoided people I didn’t know, and was too nervous to expand.
Has this community changed your mindset in any way?
AFS hasn’t really changed my mindset much. But it has made me more aware of other cultures,beliefs and values.
Is there anything you miss about your home country?
I really only miss my family and friends because I spent so much time with them.
What do you think helped you adjust to the school and moving here?
I think the fact that I went to an international school which followed an American Curriculum helped a lot. The culture change wasn’t a shock; I grew up with western media and TV shows and a lot of the kids I went to school with were foreign (from America or Europe). I felt like I was already a part of American culture. There wasn’t much change, to be honest.
What advice would you give to anyone in a similar situation as you?
I would say not to feel small. I remember coming here freshman year and I felt timid and I felt like everyone was so different, but that really wasn’t the case. Making yourself feel differently will cause you to automatically assume that you don’t belong, and I think I missed out on a lot socially because of that. Just be more social and don’t shy away from things that are new.”