Winter 2011
STUDENTS

University Student Since 8th Grade: Michael Michelachvilli

Michael is in "love with the Open University." Always fascinated with the sciences, it wasn't until taking a chemistry course at the Open University at the age of 13, that he saw chemistry as part of his future. Recent medal recipient in the International Chemistry Olympics held in Japan, and member of the Open University's winning team in an international computer sciences competition held in Waterloo, Canada, Michael is all of 17 years old.

Michael, an unassuming young man with an incredibly bright future, is a member of the Open University's President’s Honor Roll. Today, at the age of 17, he is in his fourth year of chemistry studies for his undergraduate degree at the Open University while also carrying a full load as an 11th grade student in Gymnasia Reality High School in Rishon LeZion.

He can't remember exactly when he first began to take an interest in natural sciences, but by the time he was in an Advanced Placement class in 8th grade in Ashdod, where he and his family first lived after making aliyah from Georgia (FSU), he knew that he wanted to pursue his interest in sciences. Upon the recommendation of his school (and a close friend), he looked into the Open University, and finally decided to take a course in chemistry. At the age of 14, he was one of the youngest chemistry students and totally "in love with the Open University."

Most of his time is devoted to studying for his high school and Open University courses. "It isn't easy, but if you have a lot of self-discipline and you love what you do, then you can succeed." And, Michael did.

As he continued with his studies in high school, so, too Michael continued taking more courses at the Open University, some in biology, some in mathematics, but most in chemistry. He has also carved out time to serve as a Big Brother in Israel's nationwide Perach Tutorial Project, and traveled to Cambridge University last summer to participate in the International Chemistry Olympics for youth. Michael was one of four members of the Israel delegation, and the only representative from the Open University. "This was the fourth group that Israel sent to this Olympics, and our results were very impressive." This year, he returned with a medal from the Chemistry Olympics held in Japan only to be followed up two weeks later by being part of the winning team in an international computer sciences competition.

Back in Israel, Michael is thinking about his undergraduate degree in chemistry, which he plans to finish before beginning his military service, and also a graduate degree.

For Michael the Open University is "a very special institution. You build your own program – sure you get help from the faculty – but no one is sitting on your head. If you don't succeed, then it is you who doesn't succeed, but then again, if you do succeed, it is you who made it happen."