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Growing up in Ethiopia, the Abate siblings were raised to strongly value education. Their mother worked as a banker, and their father—an electrical engineer who earned a master’s degree in the United States—helped shape their view of the U.S. as a place of academic and research opportunity.

When Dagmawit Abate ’26 began searching for a school with strong academics and generous scholarships, she soon found her way to Lehigh University. What she and her family didn’t anticipate, however, was that her twin siblings, Mahlet ’28 and Eyob ’28, would soon follow—bringing all three together again, nearly 7,000 miles from home.

“It was kind of shocking, but at the same time very exciting,” said Mahlet, 19, who is considering studying bioengineering. “Having all of us at the same university is really amazing.”

Broadened Cultural Perspectives

Dagmawit, 20, who is studying economics at Lehigh, said she appreciates the United States as a “melting pot” of different cultures, and said being at Lehigh has broadened her perspective through interactions with people from diverse backgrounds.

“I felt at home because there were a lot of international students coming here from another country, and we were able to meet people and make connections from the start,” said Dagmawit. “I've learned about connecting with people on a deeper level. I've also been able to kind of expand my views on a lot of things that I didn't know about, especially culturally.”

The Abate siblings are from Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Their older sister, Maedot, attended Vassar College in the U.S., brought the family a brochure about Lehigh University. Dagmawit was especially drawn to the international programs offered there, particularly the Lehigh University/United Nations (LU/UN) Partnership.

Dagmawit did not experience much culture shock upon first arriving at Lehigh due to her early exposure to the United States through friends and family. However, she felt Lehigh gave her a broader cultural perspective through interactions with both international and domestic students.

“Whenever I talk to someone new, I learn something I’ve never heard before, whether it’s about life in the U.S. or traditions from another country,” Dagmawit said. “International students here really look out for one another, and that’s created a strong bond that keeps us close and ready to help each other.”

Attending Lehigh Together

Mahlet and Eyob didn’t necessarily plan to attend Lehigh, but both were familiar with the university because of their sister. When it came time to find their own colleges, they both applied to Lehigh through Early Decision—independently from each other—and both were accepted.

The siblings served as a support system for each other. Mahlet relied heavily on Dagmawit for navigating forms and procedures, and Dagmawit advised them on cultural differences and how to adjust. She also helped connect them with assistance and resources at Lehigh’s Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).

The siblings said OISS was critical to their adjustment, easing them into the transition even before the International Student Orientation at the start of the semester. The office also answered any questions they had and provided a shared space with others going through the same experiences.

“The Lehigh and OISS staff and faculty have been really amazing and kind, and very helpful during times of confusion or change,” Dagmawit said. “Everyone is there to help Lehigh students, and that’s really something that meant a lot to me.”

Campus Involvement and Impact

Mahlet and Eyob are both undeclared, but Mahlet is leaning toward majoring in bioengineering, while Eyob is interested in civil engineering. Mahlet explored many student clubs as a freshman, which she found helpful in adapting to new systems and cultures.

“Sometimes you have to force yourself out from your comfort zone,” Mahlet said. “We’ve learned to be more proactive and ask questions, which has been so important in adapting to new cultures.”

Dagmawit became involved with the Global Union during her freshman and sophomore years, and has been active in Lehigh’s Economics Society, Consulting Group, Middle Eastern Student Union, and African Student Association.

“Dagmawit, Mahlet, and Eyob have been such active and engaged members of our international student community,” said Patricia Goldman, Assistant Director of International Student Engagement at Lehigh. “It’s inspiring to see them support each other while also contributing so much to the connections and sense of belonging that make Lehigh special.”