Student spotlight: Mustafa Tikka

Mustafa Tikka, '21 is graduating with a degree in international relations and minors in global studies (with a specialization in Iran), history, and political science. 

“These individual programs built on each other as supporting elements to aid my understanding of international relations,” he said. “The global studies minor, however, directed my focus towards Iran, commencing my study and research of Middle Eastern and South Asian countries. Therefore, while international relations, political science, and history formed interrelated study pathways to help me concretely conceptualize the interdisciplinary realm of my studies, the global studies minor with a specialization in Iran prepared me for my future research into the political states of the Islamic Republics.”

Below, Mustafa discusses his experience as a global studies minor and offers advice to incoming students.

Why did you choose to pursue a minor in global studies, with a specialization in Iran? Any advice you would give to others interested in studying Iran?

Iran's cultural heritage, the melodic and mystic prosody of the Persian tongue, and the historical significance of Iranian figures in Islamic history inspired me to pursue the Iranian Studies subplan. I was attracted to Iran due to the ties Persian holds to my mother tongue, Urdu. It felt like a culture and people I could openly navigate. Moreover, Iran is among the prominent Islamic Republics shrouded in its conflicts and occupies a contested position in global politics throughout its history. Planning to continue my research and exploration of Islamic Republics after my bachelor's and having already dealt with Kashmir in my undergraduate thesis, Iran was a realm I could traverse comfortably. The surprising transformation of women in Iranian society and the subtle symbolism the hijab acquired in the call for societal reformation were the elements that sparked my interest. Time tends to conflate ideas and concepts, restructuring the importance of movements, ideologies, and symbols to a populace. Recognizing these changes and seeing their potential to empower the oppressed delighted me. Reminding me to keep myself vigilant and my perspective open, the program helped me draw connections between various aspects.

Tell us about one of your favorite minor-related stories or experiences during your time at Stanford.

Though the entire program has been an enriching experience, I would make specific mention of the courses I took under Professor Abbas Milani, Professor Bahram Beyzaie, and Professor Robert Crews. While Professor Milani and Beyzaie are historians, critics, and erudite scholars of Iranian studies, Professor Crews has a command over Afghanistan in particular. I had a deep interest and thirst for knowledge of these two countries, both of which are neighbors to Pakistan, my home country, and their issues affect our country and the Muslim world in general. Besides enlightening, interactive, and immersive lectures by Professor Milani, another great opportunity to learn about Iran has been through the stream of webinars and conferences hosted by the Hamid and Christina Moghadam Program in Iranian Studies and the Stanford Festival of Iranian Arts. Scholars from various fields shed light on the cultural, political, social, intellectual, and artistic aspects of Iran and its affairs.

As you reflect on your time at Stanford, what are you most proud of?

The stimulating atmosphere, challenging ideas, and intellectual peers have given me much to treasure at Stanford. However, I am most proud of how the international relations major sparked a metamorphosis from superficial understanding to drawing deeper connections through interdisciplinary learning. Changing my approach from a cause-effect model to exploring possibilities and perspectives is a development I value.

The global studies minor, and the challenges it posed, was fundamental to this growth, as it forced me to place myself in that time, culture, and language to fully appreciate the socio-political, economic, and gender-based development of the nation.

How has your minor in Iranian studies changed your understanding of the world and prepared you for next steps?

Iranian studies, together with two other courses: Sex, Gender, and Power in Modern China and a directed reading course with Dr. Milani, Women’s Struggle for Equal Rights during the Pahlavi and Post-Revolution Iran, have transformed my understanding of how movements for gender equality and minority rights are agents to challenge and reform national and international structures. Moreover, it has allowed me to consider conflicts from different scales—from homes, localities, and provinces to national and international.

The minor has reformed my preconceptions of conflict and revealed how it differs everywhere. It has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and perspectives to explore other conflicts and socio-political conditions of Islamic Republics to assist my future research—and eventual work in policy formation.