(BA '09) international economics and development major

Originally from the city of Novomoskovsk in Russia, Elena Guravova came to Gustine, California, as a high school exchange student and stayed because she had little chance of attending a university in her homeland. Some adult friends encouraged her to attend FPU.

While a student, Guravova started Russian Impact (www.russianimpact.org), a network of students who visit and improve the lives of children at three orphanages in Russia.

"There is no better way to build peace than to build relationships between countries. I guess we're little diplomats," she says.

One accomplishment was creating a computer lab at an orphanage. Since Russian Impact raised money for the equipment, the Russian government will provide a teacher. The next project is an English classroom. "Computer skills and English are very important to get jobs," she says.

Guravova also took online courses form Denmark Technical University. Through a camera on her computer and another at the classroom in Denmark, she could attend class, work in groups and give presentations.

After commencement Guravova plans to work with Russian Impact from May to August, then go to Denmark in August or September for a paid position with an engineering company specializing in environmental projects related to development. She has a six-month contract with this firm and may have opportunity to extend it.

At some point Guravova hopes to return to India, where she's part of a project with Innoaid.org, a think tank for sustainable development. Guravova met the founder of Innoaid at Denmark Technical University. Innoaid is helping street food vendors in Calcutta organize self-help groups on marketing, hygiene, waste management and financial training. "People came together to see how they can develop," she says.

Return to main article.