Annika Khouri

Annika (she/her) is a senior majoring in International Relations. Her specializations are in Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources, as well as International History and Culture. She spoke with us about how she became interested in IR, her primary academic/research interests, and her favorite class!

What sparked your interest in IR?

While I have lived in California my entire life, my mother is from Germany, so my sister and I have dual citizenship and grew up speaking German. Whenever we visited family in Germany, I would wonder about the relationship between the US and Germany and when I took that first IR class, I realized that the field allowed me to approach this from an academic side. The classes I have taken at Stanford have deepened my knowledge and interest in this area, and certainly allowed me to gain a more global perspective extending beyond just my own personal experiences.

What are your primary academic/research interests?

One of my main interests is sustainability, particularly on a global level. I have been able to explore this interest through classes for the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources specialization, particularly in the Earth Systems department. I have also served as a TA for the 1-unit lecture series “Sustainability in Athletics,” which allowed me to combine my passions for both sustainability and sports!

What is your favorite class you’ve taken in the IR department?

My favorite class I have taken in the IR department has been INTNLREL 123: The Future of the European Union: Challenges and Opportunities. Most of the IR classes I have taken have focused on how historical events have shaped our world today, so I really enjoyed the contrast in looking forwards that this class provided. Additionally, as a citizen of the EU, this class felt particularly personal and helped me gain a deeper understanding of a community that I am a citizen of!