Student Spotlight: Meet Mahmoud Hamdi, ’24

Mahmoud Hamdi is a pre-medical student affiliated with the Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies who is graduating this year with a bachelor’s in psychology. During his time at Stanford, he participated in the Global Studies Internship Program and had the opportunity to work at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Amman, Jordan, providing healthcare services to refugees.

“I made medication administration flow charts for diabetes and hypertension for refugees,” he shared. “The work I was doing was so meaningful, and the people I was with were so kind and a joy to be around.”

Next year he will take a gap year before starting medical school. Read more about his experience as a Stanford undergraduate in the Q&A below.

Why did you decide to major in psychology?

I came into Stanford wanting to do chemistry, but that changed quickly after my introductory chemistry courses. I am very passionate about cultural and emotional psychology, and I hope to utilize my understanding of cultural psychology along with my medical degree to give back to refugee populations in the future.

What has been your favorite class at Stanford and why?

Psych 1: Introduction to Psychology. I took Psych 1 the fall of my sophomore year and immediately fell in love with psychology. I remember being fascinated by the placebo effect: by just believing that you are receiving treatment, you can begin to become cured, even if you never received medication – the power of the mind is fascinating. I also really enjoyed taking Psych 80: Introduction to Personality and Affective Science with Jeanne Tsai. I learned so much, and she is such a great professor and mentor.

What kind of research or co-curricular activities did you participate in during your time at Stanford?

I was the President of the Muslim Student Union, a member of Cardinal Free Clinics, and did cultural psychology research with the Tsai Lab.

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

I am most proud of the friends I have made along my journey. Each and every person has their own unique experience and perspective to offer, and it has opened my eyes to so many different avenues and outlooks on the world today.

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

Psychology has been such a great major because it not only increases my general knowledge, but it also allows me to become the best version of myself. For example, I learn about proper ways to cope with specific problems and understand how to dissect different defense mechanisms that I often use subconsciously. This has helped me become a better son, brother, student, and Muslim.