Maxim Petrovsky was a 2022-2023 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Antwerp, Belgium at the Institute of Tropical Medicine. Maxim graduated from Northeastern University in 2020 with a degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. In addition to his work teaching English at the ITM, he enjoyed collaborating with the ITM community on research and preparing for his time in medical school. We sat down with Maxim to ask him about his time in Belgium and how it changed his career plans.
Q: “What inspired you to apply to the Fulbright Program?”
“I applied to the Fulbright Program for a few key reasons. As a non-native English speaker, I have always been passionate about English teaching and sought to enable others with effective communication tools. The Fulbright Program presented an exceptional opportunity to do exactly that beyond the borders of the United States. The opportunity to teach English while ingraining myself in the unique and multicultural environment of Antwerp, Belgium was especially exciting.”
Q: “In what ways have you engaged with your host community in Belgium?”
“In addition to my English language teaching, I have also conducted research at the Institute of Tropical Medicine. I conducted microsimulation modeling to predict the contributions of nutrition to the development and progression of various non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Through this work, I was able to collaborate with a broader swath of people at ITM and Belgium more broadly.”
Q: ” What will you do after your Fulbright grant? In what ways has your experience in Belgium this year impacted your plans for the future?”
When I return to the United States, I will begin medical school at Boston University. I return to the U.S. with a broader perspective of both how individuals live, study, and work within the life sciences, health care, and in other industries. Perhaps even more importantly, I return with a greater understanding of myself, and my ability to adapt, and live independently. From an academic perspective, I’ve learned more about medicine and health care within Belgium and Central and Western Africa as many of my students are physicians from these regions.”
Q: “What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying to the Fulbright Program?”
“I strongly encourage all students, researchers, academics and anyone else able to apply and participate in the Fulbright Program. The Fulbright Program will push you far out of your comfort zone, and teach you so much, forcing growth that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. The opportunities presented by Fulbright are exceptional and unlimited, it is up to you to go out and take advantage of them.