Yusuf Zahurullah is graduating this year with a bachelor’s degree in history and minors in computer science and global studies, with a specialization in Islamic studies.
As he reflects on his time at Stanford, he is most proud of his senior honors thesis in history, titled “Gears of Migration: Internal American Muslim Dynamics in Detroit, 1910s-1980s”, which examines Muslim migration and labor history in Detroit in the 20th century.
“I chose it because that is my personal history. My grandparents immigrated to Detroit in the late 1970s,” he explained. “My earliest papers at Stanford all influenced my academic journey, and the thesis is the culmination of my research and interests.”
In the Q&A below, he shares his favorite class at Stanford, how minoring in global studies has shaped his understanding of the world, and his plans following graduation.
What was your favorite class at Stanford?
Dr. Farah El-Sharif’s Islam in West Africa Beyond Decolonization class not only inspired me to finish the minor in Islamic studies but also fundamentally changed my relationship with my own studies and faith.
How has your minor in global studies changed your understanding of the world and prepared you for your next steps?
My Islamic studies minor redefined my personal faith for me in a rigorous academic paradigm that I will constantly engage with for the rest of my life. Beyond impacting me as a student, it improved me as a Muslim.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to work full time while applying to law school.