Senior Lecturer of Finance and Economics Steven Efremov spent the first few years of his life in Chisinau, Moldova, before moving to Tennessee with his mother in 1995. During his most recent trip back home, he had an idea to combine his past research with some new observations. That idea could potentially land him a Fulbright award.

“On my last summer visit to Moldova, I visited a new private clinic and was impressed with the low cost, quality of service and overall ease of the process,” he said. “I was inspired to build off my previous work into economic change and living standards and investigate the growth of private clinics and health outcomes.”

Although the project is an extension of already existing research, Efremov said it was a quick turnaround once he got home and decided to apply for a Fulbright award.

“I discovered that the deadline to submit a project was sooner than anticipated,” he said. “I worked furiously for weeks to get the application done on time.”

Before he began teaching at ETSU in 2014, Efremov spent nearly a decade as a Buccaneer, earning two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree, ranging from history and political science to economics. The connections he made over almost 20 years were the source of support he needed to pursue one of the highest achievements in academia.

“Dr. Henry Antkiewicz and Dr. Jon Smith encouraged me to attempt the project. Dr. Gary Shelley submitted a letter of recommendation, and Dr. Anca Traian helped with translation,” Efremov said. “Dr. Carson Medley has been a great leader for all the Fulbright applicants, and my department chair, Dr. Taylor Stevenson, has been supportive from the start as well.”

He had an interview round with the U.S. Embassy in Moldova in early March and will find out if he won the award in the coming weeks. If he does, he’ll participate in the program from September through the end of May 2027.  

While Efremov visits Moldova often, the nine-month Fulbright program would mark his longest stay there.

“Everyone says living somewhere is different from vacation,” he said. “I am certainly excited to spend more time in my homeland, but also a bit nervous about adapting to a different academic culture.”

Efremov is just one of eight Fulbright semifinalists from ETSU this year alone, highlighting a growing initiative of preparing students and faculty for opportunities across the country and around the world.  

‍