As Marquette University celebrates International Education Week (IEW) from Nov. 17–21, 2025, the Graduate School is highlighting students whose experiences enrich campus life and reflect the global mission of the university. Among them is Salar Koushan, a fifth-year doctoral student in the Department of Electrical Engineering, whose journey from Tabriz, Iran, to Milwaukee spans continents, cultures and an unwavering passion for learning.
Koushan grew up in Tabriz, a historic and culturally rich city in northwestern Iran with about 1.7 million residents. Nestled in a valley and surrounded by mountains, the city’s cold, dry winters made Milwaukee’s climate feel familiar. He recalls, “Tabriz is a city full of life. The older parts are a maze of narrow alleys, brick houses, and historic courtyards. The Grand Bazaar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is at the heart of it all, red bricks, covered arched corridors, and energy that feels like it’s moving the city itself.”
Family shaped much of his early life. He lived with his parents and younger sister, whom he calls his best friend, as well as cousins who shared the same apartment building. Their days were filled with biking around the neighborhood, building cities out of toy bricks, and spending hot summer days spraying water around their grandmother’s backyard. Winters brought heavy snow and days spent building small igloos. “I’ve always loved being outdoors,” Koushan says. “Weekend camping trips and mountain hikes with my family were some of the happiest moments of my childhood. Just standing on top of a mountain, looking over the valleys, that peace is something I really miss.”
School, he says, was both fun and strict. Supported by academically minded parents, he embraced studying and developed strong friendships that carried him through middle school, high school, and even university. He laughs recalling, “One time my friends and I used my Casio watch with a remote to change the classroom TV channel through the window. Which frustrated the teacher, but we were just having fun!”
Koushan completed his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at the University of Tabriz before moving to Turkey for his master’s studies at Middle East Technical University in Ankara. “Being in Turkey was a good transition,” he says. “It was close to home, culturally similar, and gave me a chance to experience studying abroad before coming to the U.S.”
He first learned about Marquette while researching professors in his field of electrical machines. “I learned about the group that I am currently involved in, and then I applied,” he says. Now in his fifth year as a doctoral student in the Department of Electrical Engineering, his research focuses on the design of electrical machines for aviation electrification and electric vehicle applications, contributing to emerging technologies in sustainable transportation.
When he arrived at Marquette, he quickly connected with other international students in his lab. Those early friendships helped him feel at home. He also found a sense of community by connecting with Iranian groups in Milwaukee, which offered familiar culture and meaningful social time. Campus events hosted by the Opus College of Engineering, the Office of International Education and the Graduate School also helped broaden his network and deepen his sense of belonging. His favorite places on campus include quiet study spots tucked between the stacks in Raynor Library and the lively Ray and Kay Eckstein Common outside the Alumni Memorial Union.
Koushan is a self-proclaimed foodie, and while he has many favorite dishes, if he had to pick one from his home country, it would be “Garni Yarikh,” also known in Turkish as “Karniyarik.” This dish features a stuffed eggplant filled with a mix of sautéed onion, garlic, ground beef, parsley, and spices, with its name literally translating to “split belly” because the eggplant is split and stuffed. Although the food culture in the United States is different from what he is used to, he has discovered a few new favorites. He enjoys cooking for himself but has grown especially fond of Kopp’s burgers, and for dessert, he admits that nothing beats Costco cheesecake.
Koushan’s journey from the mountains of Tabriz to the research labs of Milwaukee reflects the spirit of International Education Week, celebrating global perspectives that strengthen the Marquette community. “Every step of the way,” he says, “I’ve been lucky to find people, places and paths that feel like home.”
