3S
LSE Summer School Experience 2019
Faculty Faculty of Economics Department of Management PDP 3rd batch (enrolled in April 2017)
Graduated from Masachi High School
■Host University:London School of Economics and political science
■Study period (local stay period): July to August 2019
Graduated from Masachi High School
■Host University:London School of Economics and political science
■Study period (local stay period): July to August 2019
As a third-year student in the Parallel Degree Program (PDP), I am studying economics and management in English while attending Musashi University in order to obtain a bachelor's degree from the University of London. Since I have many opportunities to use English, I am thinking of getting a job at a foreign company or going to graduate school in the future. Therefore, I became interested in the summer school at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), a college that constitutes the University of London and is world-famous for its economics. I participated in the LSE summer school for about three weeks, thinking that by coming into contact with excellent students from all over the world and studying in the same environment while being stimulated, I would be able to gain a broader perspective on things, which would lead to my own growth and future motivation.
The following is an explanation of the summer school. The daily schedule is divided into morning and afternoon lectures and classes. The Introductory Microeconomics course I took had classes in the morning (about 20 people) and lectures in the afternoon (about 60 people). In the lectures, the professor gives a three-hour lecture on each topic, and in the classes, a teaching assistant (TA) explains practice problems called Problem Sets (PS). Therefore, after the afternoon lecture, you need to solve the PS in advance in preparation for the next day's class. The PS has many written questions that you cannot solve unless you digest and apply what you learned in the lecture. However, in the exam, if the logic is appropriate, even if the answer (for example, TRUE or FALSE) is incorrect, it will be recognized as the correct answer to the problem and you will receive points. This PS and marking system are also used in the University of London exams, and since I usually solve PS in preparation for them, this is the point that I feel most strongly contributes to my growth not only in the LSE summer school but also in the PDP. Exams are given at the midterm and final, and cover a division of all lectures. The Introductory Microeconomics exam is broadly divided into sections A and B. Section A is a TRUE or FALSE question about a proposition, and you are also asked to give reasons. Section B is a fully written question in which you must choose between questions 1 and 2. Your grade will be determined by the combined results of the midterm exam (50%) and the final exam (50%).
What surprised me the most about participating in the LSE summer school was the level of the students. From what I heard, there were highly motivated students from all over the world, including those who want to study other subjects after graduating from famous universities, and those who aim to get good grades in the summer school and go on to graduate school at LSE or other institutions. I was overwhelmed by their proactive attitude of asking questions during lectures that would not be possible without extensive preparation, and their ability to understand the content of the lecture on the spot and connect it to questions. In Japan, there are few students who proactively speak up or ask questions during lectures, and I think there is little communication between professors and students. However, by participating in the LSE summer school, I realized that through questions, professors can understand what students do not understand well and explain in more detail, and I would like to aim for this kind of lecture in the future.
The following is an explanation of the summer school. The daily schedule is divided into morning and afternoon lectures and classes. The Introductory Microeconomics course I took had classes in the morning (about 20 people) and lectures in the afternoon (about 60 people). In the lectures, the professor gives a three-hour lecture on each topic, and in the classes, a teaching assistant (TA) explains practice problems called Problem Sets (PS). Therefore, after the afternoon lecture, you need to solve the PS in advance in preparation for the next day's class. The PS has many written questions that you cannot solve unless you digest and apply what you learned in the lecture. However, in the exam, if the logic is appropriate, even if the answer (for example, TRUE or FALSE) is incorrect, it will be recognized as the correct answer to the problem and you will receive points. This PS and marking system are also used in the University of London exams, and since I usually solve PS in preparation for them, this is the point that I feel most strongly contributes to my growth not only in the LSE summer school but also in the PDP. Exams are given at the midterm and final, and cover a division of all lectures. The Introductory Microeconomics exam is broadly divided into sections A and B. Section A is a TRUE or FALSE question about a proposition, and you are also asked to give reasons. Section B is a fully written question in which you must choose between questions 1 and 2. Your grade will be determined by the combined results of the midterm exam (50%) and the final exam (50%).
What surprised me the most about participating in the LSE summer school was the level of the students. From what I heard, there were highly motivated students from all over the world, including those who want to study other subjects after graduating from famous universities, and those who aim to get good grades in the summer school and go on to graduate school at LSE or other institutions. I was overwhelmed by their proactive attitude of asking questions during lectures that would not be possible without extensive preparation, and their ability to understand the content of the lecture on the spot and connect it to questions. In Japan, there are few students who proactively speak up or ask questions during lectures, and I think there is little communication between professors and students. However, by participating in the LSE summer school, I realized that through questions, professors can understand what students do not understand well and explain in more detail, and I would like to aim for this kind of lecture in the future.
In terms of living, LSE has several student dormitories in London. I chose a single room in Sydney Webb House. I didn't have to worry about my roommate, and there was a shared kitchen and laundry in the dorm, so I was able to live comfortably. A buffet-style breakfast is available at the LSE restaurant from Monday to Friday, and the fee is included in the rent. There are many study spaces on the LSE campus, which encourages self-study. This dorm is a 45-minute walk or 25-minute bus ride from LSE, but in the British summer, the sun is out and it is bright even at 9pm, and I didn't get the impression that it was unsafe. There are many tourist attractions within walking distance of LSE, such as the British Museum, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster Abbey, so I was able to experience British culture and history.
At LSE, there is a social program where events are held every day. There are parties on the first and last days, and you can participate in special lectures after school, walking and cycling clubs, etc. for free. There are also many events that you can participate in cheaply, such as musicals, bus tours to Oxford and Harry Potter: Warner Brothers Studio. I saw the musical "Aladdin" at the Prince Edward Theatre, which has a history of about 100 years. I was very impressed by the breathtaking set, especially the magic carpet production and the more than 350 gorgeous costumes, and the wonderful cast and orchestra. I also participated in a private sunset cruise on the Thames River. The boat I boarded was larger than the boats that ordinary tourists ride, so I was impressed that the bridge was closed and operating when we passed under it. I was able to talk to many LSE international students on this cruise and deepened my interactions with them.
It was a tough schedule, learning content that would normally take six months in a very short period of about three weeks at summer school. However, I was inspired by the students' proactive questioning, discussions, and cooperative studying, which is something that is not often seen in Japan, and I think it was a good experience to be able to take high-level classes in the same environment. Although I did not get the score I was aiming for on the exam, I ended up getting an A, and was able to spend a very meaningful and fulfilling summer vacation in London.
At LSE, there is a social program where events are held every day. There are parties on the first and last days, and you can participate in special lectures after school, walking and cycling clubs, etc. for free. There are also many events that you can participate in cheaply, such as musicals, bus tours to Oxford and Harry Potter: Warner Brothers Studio. I saw the musical "Aladdin" at the Prince Edward Theatre, which has a history of about 100 years. I was very impressed by the breathtaking set, especially the magic carpet production and the more than 350 gorgeous costumes, and the wonderful cast and orchestra. I also participated in a private sunset cruise on the Thames River. The boat I boarded was larger than the boats that ordinary tourists ride, so I was impressed that the bridge was closed and operating when we passed under it. I was able to talk to many LSE international students on this cruise and deepened my interactions with them.
It was a tough schedule, learning content that would normally take six months in a very short period of about three weeks at summer school. However, I was inspired by the students' proactive questioning, discussions, and cooperative studying, which is something that is not often seen in Japan, and I think it was a good experience to be able to take high-level classes in the same environment. Although I did not get the score I was aiming for on the exam, I ended up getting an A, and was able to spend a very meaningful and fulfilling summer vacation in London.