It\u2019s not everyday a movie night turns into a career networking event. But for Lauren Moon, it did just that.<\/p>\n
When she was a senior, Moon thought a Bollywood night sounded like a fun event for the Furman University Student Activities Board (FUSAB). She pitched her idea to the group, and then, after it was approved by the board, she shared her vision for the movie night at a trustees dinner. To her surprise, the wife of a trustee shared her passion for Indian culture–and offered to put Moon in touch with Mary-Mitchell Campbell \u201896.<\/p>\n
Turns out, Campbell is the founder and executive director of Artists Striving to End Poverty, a non-profit organization that teaches the arts to underprivileged children across the globe.<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing how busy Mary-Mitchell was, I couldn\u2019t believe she responded to my email,\u201d Moon \u201807 said. \u201cBut she did and I had a three-hour phone conversation with her. We decided that I would come up and see (her organization). Then, I would go to India and teach.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, five years later, that initial conversation has inspired other Furman alums to make the same journey.<\/p>\n
Moon is now one of two graduates who has spent a summer in India thanks to her chance meeting. Though the list is still small, Moon is hoping it\u2019s just the beginning of a steady stream of Furman alums making an impact in the region. She\u2019s even using own resources and connections to help other Furman students follow her path.<\/p>\n
For Moon, it was a life-changing experience. Campbell\u2019s organization offered her the opportunity to improve the educational experience of underprivileged children. Through the arts, she was able to get her young pupils to think more creatively and analytically in the classroom.<\/p>\n
That created new job opportunities for Moon after graduation. Moon landed a job as an education consultant with the IDEX<\/a> Fellowship in Social Enterprise. In that position, Moon has helped teachers and administrators develop programs that will improve India\u2019s Affordable Private Schools. Along with encouraging students to pursue a college degree, these schools provide low income families with a way to invest in their children\u2019s education and have a voice in the educational system.<\/p>\n Moon developed an interest in working with students while she was at Furman.<\/p>\n \u201cThe four things I was involved with at Furman fostered that in some way,\u201d Moon said. \u201cI love working with people. I was on (orientation staff), FUSAB, Tri-delt (sorority) and I worked a little with the Heller Service Corps. All of those things have shaped my desire to work with college students.\u201d<\/p>\n Moon\u2019s experience opened the door for Karolle Rabarison. Moon met Rabarison when the two worked together on FUSAB and Rabarison\u2019s decision to accept the IDEX fellowship hinged on her relationship with Moon.<\/p>\n \u201cI started seeing all these pictures of India on Lauren\u2019s Facebook page, but I knew she\u2019d been there before so it took me awhile to realize she was doing the IDEX program,\u201d Rabarison \u201810 said. \u201cWhen I got accepted I made my decision to actually go was because I was about to speak with Lauren about her experience.\u201d<\/p>\n Like Moon, Rabarison can pinpoint specific experiences at Furman that fostered her interest in study away. She participated in the Summer China Experience and a semester study away program in China.<\/p>\n \u201cI was interested in reading about development issues because I lived in Madagascar,,\u201d Rabarison said. \u201cBut I wasn\u2019t interested in studying it until I went to China. I never would have gone to the semester abroad if I hadn\u2019t gone in the summer.\u201d<\/p>\n Rabarison left for India this July to continue the work done by Moon and her cohorts. She also plans to help students transition to college by connecting them with mentors from local universities. These mentors can help walk the students through entrance exams and the college application process.<\/p>\n Moon said the mentoring relationship between the two alums is far from over.<\/p>\n \u201cKarolle is a friend of mine so I definitely want to be there for her if she has any questions or frustrations,\u201d Moon said. \u201cThe first three months are taxing, so hopefully she\u2019ll use that connection and lean on me if she needs it because I\u2019m more than willing.\u201d<\/p>\n The desire to help other Furman students and alumni is very much a part of the school\u2019s culture. Rabarison is already looking forward to stepping into a mentor role for other alumni.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe when I\u2019m done, if there\u2019s another student that wants to do it, I can talk to them,\u201d Rabarison said.<\/p>\n Study away programs<\/a><\/p>\n