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Lincoln Shopping Center
GREENFIELD and 10½ MILE
28
May 24 • 2018
jn
to complete her paperwork with
cceptance into the Fulbright
help from Kelli Dixon, director of the
U.S. Student Program is
Office of International Students and
a nationally recognized
Scholars.
achievement. Yet Wayne State
The process requires appli-
University senior Jessica
Davidov was surprised to ABOVE: Wayne State cants to pass a language
University senior
assessment, provide three
be selected — given that
Jessica
Davidov will professional recommenda-
she almost didn’t apply.
head to Israel as a tions and submit multiple
Encouraged by Wayne
Fulbright scholar.
essays. In addition to present-
State science and tech-
ing a personal statement,
nology professors Dr.
applicants hand in a project propos-
Eric Montgomery and Dr. Alvin
al explaining why they would like to
Saperstein, Davidov completed her
teach English in a host country.
Fulbright application in only three
Her nine-month Fulbright con-
days — though the process often
tract is tentatively scheduled to
takes months. Because of the tight
start in October, following the High
deadline, Davidov had no expecta-
Holidays. Although she is enthusi-
tion of getting into the prestigious
astic about teaching English at a
program.
In fact, she said she wouldn’t have college in Tel Aviv, her plan to work
with a youth orphanage excites her
applied at all without Saperstein’s
most. She hopes a personal passion
insistence.
for taking photos can help her cre-
“We started talking about it and
ate ties with the children there.
we were going back and forth, and
“Art is a language bridge,” she said.
I was like, ‘No, it’s too much. I won’t
“I do a lot of photography in my own
get it for sure,’” said Davidov, recall-
personal time, so for the children
ing the demanding requirements of
to experience — and tell their story
the application. “He was like, ‘Just
through — photography, I thought it
apply.’”
would be a great outlet.”
Now that she’s been accepted,
In addition to her academic
Davidov, who graduates from WSU
achievements, Davidov has been
in May with a bachelor’s in political
busy on and off campus. Upon her
science and Near Eastern studies
arrival at WSU, she reinstated the
with a concentration in Hebrew,
student organization Students for
plans to use the Fulbright opportu-
Israel and currently serves as its
nity to teach English in Israel.
president. She is also a member
Davidov, whose parents and
brother immigrated from Azerbaijan of Hillel of Metro Detroit, a 2017
Hasbara Fellow and an intern at
in 1991, was raised Jewish in a
Russian-speaking household in West the Eugene and Marcia Applebaum
Family Foundation. Additionally,
Bloomfield, graduating from West
she works as a legal assistant for the
Bloomfield High School in 2014.
Osipov Bigelman law firm.
She started at WSU the following
Davidov hopes her Fulbright expe-
fall and credits her love for Detroit
riences prepare her for a future in
as a key reason she chose to gto
law and the pursuit of social justice.
there.
Davidov said immigration law, tech-
“I really want to spend my time
nology and cybersecurity interest
giving back,” said Davidov. “The
her most.
community here — whether it was
“The more experiences you have
Wayne State or the Jewish commu-
in life, the more it enhances your
nity or just Detroit in general — has
education,” she said. “It enhances
given me great opportunities and
your ability to understand, see
has made me who I am today.”
perspectives and learn about other
Notified about the Fulbright just
days before the application deadline, people, and contribute to class-
rooms.” •
Davidov launched a frenzied effort