Concord-Carlisle High School student Laiya Maria Pavlov taught a weekly English lesson in Malaysia in partnership with a local community group. (Photo Courtesy Laiya Maria Pavlov)
CONCORD — For the 11 months that Laiya Maria Pavlov lived in Selangor, Malaysia, her day started off with a mandatory school uniform and a commute to a public school where many of her classes were conducted in Malay.
Now back at Concord-Carlisle High School as a senior, Laiya is applying all that she learned in the ways of diplomacy and culture to her senior year of education.
Laiya spent her junior year of high school in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) Abroad Program through the United States Department of State. The YES Abroad program provides full merit-based scholarships for eligible high school students to develop a perspective on foreign culture firsthand. Participants spend an academic year attending a high school while living with a host family in select countries with significant Muslim populations.
“My year in Malaysia was transformational,” said Laiya. “Living with multiple host families during different holiday seasons helped me experience Malaysia’s multicultural traditions firsthand. These moments shaped my understanding of faith, family, shared community values, and the incredible cuisine.”
Laiya attended SMK Perempuan Methodist Klang, a government school, where she was welcomed into classrooms, clubs, and school traditions.
“Experiencing a different school system was very interesting,” Laiya said. “The friendships and mentorship I found were authentic, lasting, and continue to guide me.”
Laiya’s course load in Malaysia included Malay Language, English, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Moral Education, and Physical Education. On top of that, she spent her time teaching English to children and youth at a local community organization, volunteering at an orphanage, and participating in diverse cultural practices, including Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali.
Concord-Carlisle High School supported Laiya as she developed her own academic plan, with guidance from counselor Paulina Chin and World Languages Department teacher Madame Thuy Van Dang-Duy Pinto. Their support helped Laiya participate in the program while remaining on track to graduate with the Class of 2026 and earn her CCHS Global Competence Certificate.
“We’re proud of Laiya and the work she put into this experience,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter. “The Global Competence Certificate recognizes the level of independence and curiosity she showed during her year abroad. We’re glad our schools could support her, and we’re excited to see where this path leads her.”
Abroad, Laiya received awards such as the AFS Malaysia Leadership Award and the SMK Perempuan Methodist Malaysia Leadership Award. Her contributions were also recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the White House.
Laiya now has her sights set on a future involving international service. She plans to attend Middlebury College and pursue a degree in International Development and Education.
“This experience strengthened my commitment to global learning, community building, and leadership,” Laiya said. “It’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
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Laiya Maria Pavlov delivers a presentation on the United States to her classmates at her host school. (Photo Courtesy Laiya Maria Pavlov)
Laiya Maria Pavlov, center, shortly after her arrival in Malaysia, along with the full cohort of five U.S. Youth Citizen Diplomats, who were placed across different states in Malaysia during the 2024-25 Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad Program. (Photo Courtesy Laiya Maria Pavlov)
U.S. Youth Citizen Diplomats wear traditional Malaysian clothing. (Photo Courtesy Laiya Maria Pavlov)
Laiya Maria Pavlov’s class farewell at SMK Perempuan Methodist Klang. (Photo Courtesy Laiya Maria Pavlov)