Get ready for a fascinating journey back to the hallways of ASW! We sit down with Snir Boniel, Class of 2012, now a respected Pediatric Specialist in Warsaw, who shares how his 14 years at the American School of Warsaw profoundly shaped the skills and values crucial to his demanding medical career, making his recent return an emotional and nostalgic homecoming.

Dr. Boniel, it's wonderful to have you back at ASW.  Could you please reflect and share what that experience was like for youto visit the school after all those years? How you felt during and after the visit, after seeing how it changed and grew. 

ASW was my second home for 14 schoolyears, from PreK through 12th grade. My return to ASW thirteen years after my graduation was indeed an emotional and nostalgic experience. I was rather surprised to see the intense renovation works that took place, new wings have been added to buildings, new decorations and many new facilities, I almost got lost in the hallways! But after a quick reset, I felt as if I never left, I recognized my old lockers, my old classrooms (some of which have been converted for other uses), the theater where I used to perform, and even my tile I drew during art class on the tile wall that was built on the occasion of the 50th anniversary on the second floor up the Elementary School stairs. It’s amazing to believe that ASW has already celebrated its 70th anniversary! The most emotional moments was meeting my old teachers and Tas, especially Madame Cathy Beyers, my dear French teacher, to whom I owe pretty much my entire knowledge of the French language. I occasionally see French-speaking patients and in fact some patients go out of their way to search for me, a French-speaking doctor in Warsaw. I fondly remember learning French so diligently and with great pleasure during her lessons, and I felt a sentiment retelling memories and discussing what is new during our meeting now, after 13 years!

Looking back at your time here, what are some of your fondest memories or key experiences as a student at ASW?
It is hard to decide where to start! Looking back, I truly appreciate how since a very young age, literally around 5 years, teachers at ASW taught us “show and tell,” which besides being a fun experience as a child, to bring in a toy, photo or other object a tell the class about it for a few minutes, it taught us how to stand up straight and tall, speak loudly and clearly and to be a leader starting at age 5! This does not go without saying, and not every child has this trait (and I see many children of this age.) In Ms. Cameron’s fourth grade class I fondly remember Tuesday News-days, which taught me to write articles in an organized and fluent manner, as well as Friday Happenings, which taught me to present in an almost-professional manner at the age of 10 years! I remember Ms. Anderson’s art class, how we made very high-quality art projects using some very fancy techniques and media such as clay statues (that were then baked in a real kiln!), Polish paper-cutting art called Wycinanki (I still love the color and beauty of Polish art) and even making a mosaic. I remember Ms. Anderson had us rewrite our names hundreds of times (corresponding to our grade level) if we didn’t write our names on our assignments (although that never happened to me…) There were so many nostalgic moments in Mr. Avery’s 5th grade class, from putting on a school play from scratch and reorganizing his classroom into a theater, borrowing lights and assigning each child to a role (the clapper, lights, script-writer and of course actors, we put on two plays that year, Cinderella Hollywood and Abe Lincoln for Class President, and I played key roles in both of those plays!) I remember Mr. Hoiseth’s history class during which I wrote a 10-page long research paper on Roman Law; and I remember Mr. Kuhns’ science class, during which we were assigned a project to build a submarine that can sink to the bottom of a water tank and then float back to the top. I remember Mr. Almekinder’s science class, during which we were assigned the garden project – a whole 3 months to grow and report the growth of edible biomass. I remember 8th Grade Living History Day, during which I had the honor to interview Dr. Halina Szpilman RIP, wife of Wladyslaw Szpilman, The Pianist. The interview was translated by Mr. Pan Adam Gasiejewski, who is a teacher a look up to so much until today. I truly fondly remember Ms. Pecko’s band lessons, during which she taught us a music-related word of the day, lots of music theory material, music history and appreciation in addition to musicianship and techniques pertaining to playing an instrument. Music is still a true passion of mine today, and I love playing jazz on the piano and trumpet. I remember Mr. Bonnick’s classes in High School – he taught web design, a skill I still regularly use today, as well as comparative government and social studies. I remember the 3-day long camping trip in 9th grade, which seemed like it lasted much longer, and especially the cave which was so crowded and cramped, my head and body could barely fit in it (I now have a much larger belly than I did in 9th grade, so I probably wouldn’t fit in such a cave at all!) I haven’t been camping since. I remember Mr. Figlewicz’s photography classes, and how I loved the almost magic that happens in the dark room, where we used to develop photos. I remember volunteering at the nurse’s clinic for CAS! Ms. Marilyn Dypczynski taught me the basics of nursing, skills such as how to measure blood pressure, how to perform a screening vision test and especially how to communicate with children on a daily basis. These are skills I use daily today. I remember studying HL biology in IB, which until today is a class I cherish. One of the units was genetics, and I remember killing that exam and understanding all of the concepts, it’s amazing that I study clinical genetics today too! 

Were there any specific subjects, projects, or teachers here that particularly influenced you or impacted your future career choice to pursue medicine?
I’ve wanted to be a pediatrician since I can remember. However, I always knew that in order to develop a good career as a doctor I need to be a well-rounded student, to be good at everything. I use skills I learned at ASW on a daily basis during my career, skills that help me build a long-lasting relationship with my patients, peers and co-workers, skills that make me grow and develop. I always remember to stand up straight and be a leader, to lecture, to have a good sense of humor, to study hard, to be tolerant, open-minded, diligent and hard working. So, it's hard to point-out specific projects or lessons that influenced my career choice, it was really my entire ASW journey that did that. 

Can you tell us about your journey after graduating in 2012? What was your path through university and medical school like to become the doctor you are today?
Contrary to common advice, I only sent one university application, only to the Medical University of Warsaw. No safety school, no other university. I sent my application in April of 2012 with my “predicted IB grades,” and was requested to fill in my final IB grades in July. I was formally accepted in July of 2012 and celebrated by traveling to Italy and going on a cruise around the Mediterranean with my family. I started medical studies in October of 2012 at the Medical University of Warsaw English Division (Medical studies in the English language) and met many new friends from many different places around the world, some of them from countries not represented in ASW! I actually studied with one of my peers from ASW, who went to school with me from PreK through 12th grade, and who is now living with her husband and children in Turkey (shoutout to Azra!) The first year was the toughest of all 6 years of medical school, but all of medical school was tough. We did have a very good time though, we knew how to enjoy parties, for instance during Indian holidays, as well as house gatherings and even group activities such as Room Escape and Go-karting. I was naturalized as a Polish citizen when I was in my 5th year of Medical School. After graduating from Medical School in 2018 I was required to pass a Polish Medical Board Licensing Exam (LEK) and complete a 13-month long internship (Staz) which I completed at the University Hospital, where I met some of my dearest colleagues, mentors and friends. I then applied for a placement to start my residency in Pediatrics at the prestigious and world-renown Department of Pediatrics of the Medical University of Warsaw, where I gained wide experience in Pediatric diseases, childhood nutritional disorders, neonatal pathology, and even had the honor of working for nearly a year at the Pediatric COVID-19 infectious diseases department and rotated in several other departments in several hospitals around the city for 5 years. During this time, I also intensely worked on my MD, PhD thesis in Clinical Genetics and rare diseases and am currently nearly ready to defend my thesis and complete my degree. I passed the exams and was formally certified as a specialist in Pediatrics in 2024 and started my own practice as a pediatrician, cooperating with the Polish healthcare authorities, lecturing for 3rd Year Medical Students in Polish and in English, and circling back to my roots, cooperating with American Medical Centers, the clinic that runs the Health Unit at ASW!

Now you're cooperating with the school in a professional capacity as a doctor. What does that new relationship with your alma mater mean to you?
I very much feel at home here. Whenever I see a student, I see myself. The wheel turns, time moves on, but ASW is still (almost) my second home!

What advice would you give to current ASW students who might be aspiring to follow a similar path into medicine?
You will be learning during your whole life. Just sit and study, everything else will settle down in its place. Don’t get distracted by temptations such as video games, travels, doom-scrolling or the general static of life. While balance is important, you must be intentional with your time. I learned quickly in medical school that focused, diligent work is the greatest differentiator. Sit and study. Be diligent, be hard-working; it will pay off later."

You were known as a great student. What study habits or skills did you develop at ASW that you still use today in your demanding career as a doctor?
Studying in medical school requires, essentially, memorization. Whether it is the whole of Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy, label by label, or all microscopic structures in Histology, or the entire Pharmacology textbook (99% text!), it is essentially memorization. Past papers definitely helped a lot with studying too. We didn’t really have projects and writing prompts and oral work. All in all, in medical school, those who memorized the whole textbook got higher scores on exams, and pretty much all exams were MCQs only, and the final course grade was simply the final exam grade. Where ASW came into play is leadership skills and multilingualism. Presenting to a class, leading peers, mediation, and of course translating patient’s information during bedside classes are all rooted in foundation skills from ASW. I am proud, honored and thankful that ASW teachers granted me with these skills! To this day I live by the ASW motto – Be Respectful, Be Responsible and Be Safe!

Can you recall a specific challenge you faced while you were a student here, and how you overcame it? What did you learn from that?
My biggest challenge was actually in navigating the social dynamics. I learned that in a high-achieving environment, it can sometimes be difficult to find your voice and manage the pressure. I overcame this by staying true to my values, focusing on my goals, and intentionally building a support network outside of school—a habit I continue to use today. This taught me the importance of resilience and self-advocacy, skills which are crucial in a demanding field like medicine.
Outside of academics, what extracurricular activities or school events were you involved in, and how did they shape your experience?
I was very active and took part in many extracurricular activities. I was in several school plays, including two large school plays in Middle School (…Roman… where I played a key role that stole the show, the Messenger, I would run in and out and say catchphrases and puns, and “Murder Can Be Habit-Forming” in which I played a crazy rock star who had black nail polish and a frizzy orange wig. In Elementary and Middle school I partook in many extracurricular activities, including Lego studio club (I guess that would be the pre-precursor to today’s film club/ Lego robotics club), 60-minute challenges (during which we solved challenges in an escape-room like manner) and Speech and Debate club. But I was undoubtedly most active in the music scene. I was in pretty much every possible music-related club. I started playing the trumpet in 5th grade and still play it today. I was in Band from 5th grade to 10th grade, and even co-founded a Jazz band and several after-school bands with my friends in High school, during which I played the piano and trumpet and even sang. I was also part of several Rock Bands in Middle School, I played the keyboards during several legendary Rock ‘n’ Rota concerts. I am incredulously thankful for all Ms. Pecko and Mr. Celinski, my legendary music teachers, taught me over so many years and still remember their lessons very fondly.
I participated in talent shows too. When I was in third grade I reenacted Charlie Chaplin. I mimed clapping activities for the audience and made them laugh until tears. 

How do you see your ASW education playing a role in how you interact with your patients or colleagues today?
I am a motivated, energetic and strong leader until today. I do well directing teams, taking initiatives, staying organized and being on top of things. I work very hard and have so many different activities that I take care of simultaneously, all while speaking five different languages. These are all skills I learned at ASW, skills that made me and kept me ever a well-rounded student.

What's one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were a student here?
Read more, read and reread, memorize and review information. Unfortunately, I feel like some of the information I studied at this school was spoon-fed to me. Only once I started medical school did I actually start seriously and intensely studying. If during IB we were required to complete a “chapter” or a “unit” within 3 weeks or so, in medical school we were required to read the entire unit, by ourselves, within 1 or 2 days sometimes, memorize it, study it fluently and then be ready to take a test. I was not emotionally or technically ready for this after high school, but I came to be through hard work and dedication.

Looking at the school now, what are the biggest changes you see compared to when you were a student in 2012?
Of course the renovation - the school was fitted out with many more facilities and real estate is used more efficiently. There are so many amazing facilities for students’ use. ASW was always a pioneer, we were the first to suggest a 1:1 student to laptop ratio (a characteristic that still is so rarely met), the first to introduce theater and music facilities, the first to have amazing ideas such as fine art exhibitions and sports events. Nowadays the school even offers carpentry, robotics, special coaching for students and teachers, further improvement of library facilities, widening of sports possibilities, and of course even a fully-equipped health unit that functions almost like the Emergency Room where I worked on call during my residency.

What are your hopes for the current generation of ASW students?
Remember to take everything in proportion. You are indescribably lucky and privileged. Do not abuse your privileges, and do not take anything for granted. I hope you grow up to be world-class citizens - global leaders who are modest, ethical, and hard-working. Do not confuse success with materialism. What truly matters is health, happiness, and the character you build as you serve your community and the world.

Thank you Dr. Boniel for taking time to visit and share your memories & reflections with Warrior Connect community. It's been a true pleasure. 

December, 2025