Gondishapur

A wizarding school in Khuzestan, Iran. It is hidden in the mountains of Khuzestan province, protected by enchantment to keep Muggles and prying eyes away.

History

Gondishapur has a long and storied history that dates nearly two millennia. At one point, Muggle and mage scholars studied side by side there, and the academy was renowned for its Muggle medical education as well as its magical scholarship.

Sometime before 1000 C.E., the magical school separated and became its own institution while the Muggle academy fell into ruins.

Student Body

The student population is larger than at Hogwarts. Most young scholars come from Farsi-speaking communities in Iran, Tajikstan, and Afghanistan, though some come from farther afield in the Middle East or even overseas.

The school is very accepting of different cultures and religions, with Islam, Zoroastrianism, the Bahai'i faith, Judaism, and Christianity all represented. Although students have flexibility in celebrating their own cultural holidays, the entire school shutters for two weeks in the spring during Nowruz, in addition to summer holidays.

School Logistics

Gondishapur has no houses and does not sort its scholars like many Western schools. Upon entering the school, young scholars are assigned to a dormitory with up to 12 others from their year. Each dorm is named after a figure from Persian legend or history, and scholars stay in the same dorm room for their first three year. At the start of their fourth year, they are allowed to pick a roommate and move into a smaller, private room.

The teachers are often stern with a strict code of rules.

Coursework

In addition to typical magical topics, coursework in literature, history, and comparative religions and cultures is required. The basics of occlumency, such as calming one's thoughts and clearing one's mind, is a part of mental self-discipline taught to all scholars.

Electives are offered in courses like philosophy, Muggle science (a throwback to Gondishapur's origins as a cross-discipline place of learning), and international magical traditions.

Formal schooling finishes as eighteen, but some students choose to stay on as a graduate and continue to study specialized topics under a favourite teacher.

Known Graduates & Staff

• Atash Hendurabi studied here and later taught here from 2004 until 2008