NWNY’s program associate Gyuzel Zaripova’s winding road to NYC

How a young woman journeyed from Kazakhstan to Paris to New York City to start a new life.

Written by Tatiana Spiegel

On a cold winter day in December, I left my cozy apartment to get acquainted with an unfamiliar face,  Gyuzel Zaripova, the program associate for New Women New Yorkers. I approached the West Village restaurant where we’d planned to meet and was warmly greeted by her at the entrance. She was wrapped in a wool coat and scarf, seemingly like a true New Yorker.

As we sat down in the quiet restaurant and began to talk, Gyuzel took me on a  journey, from her childhood in Almaty, Kazakhstan, through her young adulthood in Paris, and all the way to present day New York City. Soft-spoken, with crisp intelligence, she has experienced trials and tribulations throughout her years living abroad, but takes everything in stride.

When and why did you move to New York City?
I  moved here in 2017 from Paris, but I’m originally from Almaty, Kazakhstan. I moved to Paris when I was 17 years old to study French. My parents always believed that being abroad and learning different languages would bring more opportunities for me. Also, my mother had always dreamed that I would learn French, so she sent me to Paris hoping it would open doors for me and simultaneously satisfy her dream of me mastering the French language.

I then went to university and received my bachelor’s degree in business administration and later a master’s degree in international affairs. After many years of working and living in Paris, my husband and I wanted a new experience in another country. We considered places like Morocco and Lebanon, but ultimately landed on New York City when a job opportunity presented itself to him. We’ve just completed our first year of the three-year contract of our expected stay.

What challenges did you face when you first arrived?
The first time I arrived, I felt like I had already been here. Perhaps from all of the movies I’ve seen before. It was also very difficult the first few months. I did not have a job and I felt as if I had no purpose. I didn’t feel that NYC was my home. Since I lived in Paris for about 12 years, it feels like home to me. However, I’ve noticed that living in New York presents a different experience as an immigrant. Here, I don’t feel like an immigrant since everyone is from somewhere else, whereas in Paris you’re frequently reminded that you’re not Parisian if you’re a foreigner. It took time to adjust. Also, when I first moved here, I went back to Paris for a few weeks, which didn’t help with the acclimation process.

How has the LEAD program helped you adjust to life here?  
After some time spent searching for work with women-focused organizations, I stumbled upon New Women New Yorkers’ website. LEAD seemed like a great way to help prepare myself for and break into the workforce in NYC, so I enrolled in the eight-week program at the Chatham Square library. It was amazing. In general, I feel that it gave me community and a sense of purpose. I found friends there, and we supported each other and shared tips. The program really helped with moments of self-doubt and discouragement from the NYC job search. In the LEAD program, they really give women the tools to empower themselves.

What has been your employment experience since finishing the LEAD program?
I graduated from the program and then heard from the founder and CEO  (Arielle Kandel) that there was an open position for a program associate. I applied, and now I officially work with the NWNY team. In my role, I explore partnerships and work closely with the volunteers to collect their feedback and improve the programs we offer our students. I really love working at NWNY because Arielle’s motto is learning by doing, so it’s been a great experience for me so far.

What do you do for fun and to make yourself feel at home  in New York City?
I go to see theatre – A LOT! I love it. I love the museums, occasionally going out dancing, and going to wine bars. I have recently learned how to arrange flowers through a volunteer program, which has been fun. I also love hanging out with my dog, Belka!

To feel at home, I go to Brighton Beach, which has a very large Russian community. In Kazakhstan, Russian is spoken frequently, and when I go to Brighton Beach it reminds me of growing up in the ‘90s in Almaty. Lots of Central Asian food and old women gossiping in typical Russian accents. All my childhood memories come back to me!

What does the future hold for you in New York City?
I’m not sure what the future holds for us, but for now I’m enjoying New York City and would love to stay for at least a couple of more years. I look forward to exploring NYC with my dog and husband and to continuing working at NWNY!

Learn more about the LEAD program or enroll in an upcoming information session here.