Fellow Friday: Michelle Zabat

Fellow Friday: Michelle Zabat, JIF '13

Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI 

High School: Stoney Creek High School

College: Brown University

Major: Health and Human Biology 

Why did you decide to become a Fellow?

I can confidently say that I wouldn't be anywhere near where I am today without the help of JIF. Before attending my summer program, I had looked at schools on the East Coast, but I was fairly sure I wasn't qualified enough to apply to most of them. In fact, I was fairly sure that I didn't want to apply to Brown at all! Obviously I took quite a different path than the one I was expecting to at that point in my life. I'm so happy with where I've ended up, and I became a Fellow because I want to help other girls realize that they too may not have considered all their options (or even written off some of them!). The college admission and decision process is a stressful time, and I am glad to do whatever I can to make it a little bit easier on others. Being a Fellow has enabled me to do that, and that makes me very happy.

What is your favorite memory from your summer experience?

My favorite memory from my summer experience isn't really a memory at all--it's still very much ongoing. I was worried that my two week program would be too short to forge meaningful friendships and that any I did make wouldn't last beyond the time I was on campus. That couldn't have been further from the truth! I am still in contact with many of the people that shared my class with me, and it's really cool to be able to say that I have friends from (literally) all over the world. It's also really exciting, because I know that when I get older, I'll be able to travel to the amazing places these people are from and have connections there.

Why does the Fellows team rock?

The Fellows Team rocks because it's amazing to know that there are other girls just as passionate about making other people's college dreams come true! Midwestern women have so much potential. It's nice to be a part of something that helps reveal that potential to the world. 

Why is life outside the Midwest amazing? 

Life on the East Coast is very different from back home, which means that every day is an adventure. It's especially exciting when I'm venturing off campus into Providence or traveling to other locales like Boston and New York. However, one of the things I like the most about living here is that I now really appreciate just how wonderful it is to be able to call the Midwest home. I'm excited to be in New England, but I'm also always excited to go back home.

People at school who are not from the Midwest always ask me...

"Why is your accent so weird??"

How did JIF affect where you are today?

I physically wouldn't be where I am today without JIF! I wouldn't be a student at Brown University and I wouldn't call Providence my second home. I am immensely grateful for the effect JIF had on me, because I'm having an amazing experience here so far. I know it's only going to get tougher from here, but luckily JIF has given me the confidence I need to know that I can handle it!

Do you have a question for Michelle?  Email her at Michelle_Zabat@brown.edu