Student spotlight: Tori Pollak

Tori Pollak is graduating this year with a degree in international relations, with specializations in international security and comparative international governance. In the interview below, she talks about studying abroad in Madrid, her favorite class at Stanford, and her plans following graduation.

Why did you choose to major in international relations?

I chose this program because the classes directly related to my interests. I knew it was the right major for me when I was excited for class and learning the material.

What has been your favorite class at Stanford and why?

IR 62Q: Mass Atrocities and Reconciliation (now Mass Atrocities: Reckoning and Reconciliation). Professor Lutomski offered such a unique perspective for this class, and the content encouraged me to take other similar classes on transitional justice. This course was a catalyst in understanding my interests and academic passions.

Tell us your favorite major/minor/program-related story or experience!

Studying abroad was the highlight of my Stanford experience! I was in Madrid in the spring 2022 quarter and enjoyed every second. Our cohort had so much fun together, and I'll look back fondly on those memories for many years to come!

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

I am most proud of my personal development while at Stanford. As a freshman, I would have never spoken up in class. I rarely asked questions or gave input. However, in my last discussion section of senior year, I was the final person to give their word on the discussion topic. It felt like I had come full circle and became the student I wanted to be!

What are your plans after graduation?

I will be working for the U.S. government starting in the fall of 2023.

How has your degree program changed your understanding of the world and prepared you for your next steps?

The IR major has allowed me to learn about topics I had never encountered before Stanford. With a limited public education prior to college, I had a lot of topics to learn, and this major encouraged me to delve into themes and case studies I had never studied before.