Kazakhstani woman hired to work at an American city hall

Arujan, a recent graduate from Kazakhstan, has secured a position with the City of Greenville administration in the United States, where she will focus on sustainability and urban environmental policy. Her hiring marks a significant achievement following her graduation magna cum laude from Furman University with a bachelor's degree in Sustainability Science and Communication Studies. During her four years at Furman, Arujan was the only student from Kazakhstan and actively engaged in six internships, professional development programs, research, and community projects, alongside studying abroad twice and earning multiple academic awards.

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I chose Furman University specifically for its Sustainability Science program. Compared to other U.S. universities that often focus on biology or geography, this program was unique because it sits at the intersection of social sciences and ecology

Choosing Furman University specifically for its unique Sustainability Science program, which bridges social sciences and ecology, Arujan consistently balanced her academic pursuits with practical experience. She shared that for nearly all of her four years of study, she was involved in internships, including those at various non-profits during both semesters and summers. Her prior experience includes research, a collaboration with a South Korean city, and nearly a year with the Citizens' Climate Lobby, advocating for environmental policy in the U.S., which paved the way for her current role in municipal projects.

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Over the four years, there were literally only three or four months when I wasn't interning somewhere. I completed internships at various non-profits during both the summers and the semesters

Arujan's interest in local government stems from a long-standing fascination with urban development and environmental conservation. "I've always been interested in how projects related to parks and urban nature conservation develop. I was curious to understand how cities plan their growth, how they interact, and how they preserve natural resources while continuing to expand," she explained. Her passion for ecology predates her move to the U.S.; she volunteered and participated in environmental initiatives in Kazakhstan, raising awareness in Astana before studying environmental systems in Japan and then pursuing higher education in the U.S.

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I've always been interested in how projects related to parks and urban nature conservation develop. I was curious to understand how cities plan their growth, how they interact, and how they preserve natural resources while continuing to expand

Reflecting on the qualities that led to her hiring, Arujan emphasized the crucial role of proactivity. "I think my proactivity played a huge role. When I was 15 or 16, I didn't just say I was interested in the environment. I started looking for volunteer organizations," she stated. The university's strong connections with non-profits, businesses, and other partners, facilitating real-world work experience alongside studies, was a primary reason she chose Furman.

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The university established connections for students with non-profits, businesses, and other partners so that we could combine our studies with real-world work