LSE Summer School Experience 2024

First, I participated in one of the summer school sessions offered by a UK university (London School of Economics and Political Science) in July 2024, staying in London for approximately three weeks. The course I took was ME117 Probability and Statistics for Economics and Econometrics, a 100-level course offered by LSE. The course consisted of twelve three-hour lectures and twelve 90-minute small-group classes. The lectures were primarily for learning new content from the professor, a format similar to that of Japanese university classes. The small-group classes primarily consisted of solving problems in small groups, followed by explanations from the professor. Although we were given workbooks and other materials, there were no specific assignments, and grades were determined solely by midterm and final exam scores.

I learned a lot and gained a wide range of experiences at this summer school. First, I realized and learned two main things from the summer school classes. First, the content of the classes I took. Although I had already acquired the basics of statistics through my PDP classes, I feel I was able to gain new knowledge and improve my understanding of existing knowledge. For example, I deepened my knowledge of regression analysis and hypothesis testing, which are commonly used in statistics. I not only understood that these are methods of inferential statistics, but also learned practical aspects such as how they can be used in real-life situations. Second, I noticed that the way classes were conducted was a little different from classes in Japan. In summer school classes, all the students seemed highly engaged and actively asked questions about things they didn't understand or anything even slightly related to the class content. This caused some delays in class progress, but the students' questions led to discussions that developed, and I was able to learn a variety of things beyond what was in the textbook. The professor also explained how statistical methods are actually used in real life, and although the classes were long, the content was so fulfilling that it didn't even feel that way. Conversely, there were a few difficulties in class. Since I normally take classes in English, I didn't have many problems with the English language, but I did have some difficulty understanding some of the problems in class that dealt with proofs. However, I think I was able to solve them by taking some time to understand them and asking friends I made there. I feel that the summer school classes were a valuable experience.

Next, I was able to experience a variety of things outside of my studies during holidays and outside of class. Since I was only in one session, I had four free days off, which I spent sightseeing in London. I was able to visit famous tourist spots such as the British Museum and Beckingham Palace, and I think I had a fulfilling break. I also went out to eat and enjoyed a variety of dishes, including British fish and chips and Italian food. This is unrelated, but there were many Italian and French restaurants, and British restaurants were not so numerous, so it was a bit difficult to find. Also, transportation within London was well-equipped, including the subway and buses, so I was able to get around more smoothly than I expected, which was great. On the other hand, I did have a bit of a challenge outside of class: my cell phone connection would often drop out. However, since I was mostly sightseeing with friends, it wasn't a major issue, so I was glad.

Finally, I believe that the biggest area in which I have grown through this study abroad experience is my ability to manage myself. Also, experiencing the comfort of living comfortably using English has boosted my confidence. Personally, I believe my self-management skills have improved for three reasons. First, I made sure to eat well and get enough sleep to avoid falling ill during my stay in the UK, which allowed me to return home feeling healthy. Second, I set daily goals and schedules to a certain extent, and I think I was able to study hard to achieve those goals. For example, I set goals for exams while studying, and I believe this contributed to my grades. Finally, I was able to experience things firsthand that I would not have experienced if I had lived in Japan, and I feel that this has contributed to my personal growth. For example, I believe I have developed a certain ability to adapt to differences in public safety and food culture.

I have learned a lot through this study abroad experience, but my future goal is to continue with the PDP program as before and focus on my studies at UOL for the remaining two years. Also, there are possibilities for job hunting opportunities overseas, such as through the Boston Career Forum, so if the opportunity arises, I would like to use the knowledge I have gained through this study abroad experience to do my best in my job search.