Zac Stoor '22

My minor in European studies helped me cement the fact that studying the European Union and working in European politics is the path for me. While politics at large interests me too, European politics has been deeply fascinating to me ever since high school," he said. "Through the European Studies minor, I was able to explore this interest more deeply in an academic setting as well as get to know other students, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars interested in Europe and working on related projects. I was also able to participate in an internship with a policy think tank in Europe through TEC, something I never would have thought possible before. My minor prepared me to be a culturally competent and informed policymaker and diplomat moving forward and showed me that the path I want to be on runs through Europe.

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

The Europe Center (TEC) hosted a few different lunches with their visiting scholars throughout this year and invited European Studies minors and TEC internship participants to attend. Getting to know the scholars from all across Europe and hearing their perspectives on issues in a small group setting like that was very fun every single time!

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

I was able to be a part of a group of students who started the Stanford Rural Engagement Network (SREN), which is the first student organization dedicated to students from rural communities on campus and one of the first nationwide. As a rural student who struggled at first adjusting to Stanford, it means a lot to help build an organization that will help other students feel more at home on the Farm.

What are your plans after graduation?

I am pursuing a master's in European Studies at Georgetown University for the next two years. After that, I hope to work in European politics or transatlantic relations either in the government or in civil society.