World Turned Upside Down

Author: Jack Kincannon | Major: Data Science

This summer I traveled across the pond to the London School of Economics and Political Science – LSE for short. Considering it was my first time on another continent, it was an experience unlike any prior. I’m incredibly grateful that my academic career led me to this point; I’d been looking forward to this summer for years. Continual stimulation from an academic and personal perspective was exhilarating. I hope this post will be a window into my experience and encourages others to study abroad.

For me, LSE was the obvious choice. It’s located in the heart of London and specializes in the intersection of my interests. LSE is world renowned for its business and social science curriculum. Their motto is “Rerum cognoscere causas.” In English: “To understand the causes of things.” This motto resonates with me at a deep level. Throughout my academic career this has been a goal of mine, and I’ve never seen it verbalized so well. Attending a university whose focus matches my interests and is so well respected has, no doubt, increased my employment opportunity at top firms around the globe. LSE allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of Finance and Financial Markets from a global perspective. Derivative securities, quantitative analysis, risk management, and portfolio optimization were just a handful of the topics I learned more about. The courses I attended were taught by Professors and Ph.D. candidates from 3 continents. These courses used LSE’s motto as a guide for their teaching style. During the lecture the professor would begin by explaining a – often Nobel Prize winning – theory that laid the basis for some part of modern finance. These theories included but were not limited to the Capital Asset Pricing Model, and the Efficient Market Hypothesis. We would then derive the theory at a level that was appropriate. To gain a fundamental understanding of the concepts both intuitively and mathematically.  After this, the lecturer would discuss how this theory shows itself in the world today, and how the tools it provides help solve problems. The class section, like a drill at UARK, would then work problems using material covered in that day’s lecture. I liked this approach, it’s different from UARK, but the same end goal is achieved: Practical application of topics covered. Overall, the teaching style and atmosphere were very conducive to learning. The experience gave me confidence that my Arkansas education allows me to succeed anywhere in the world.

London is one of the world’s greatest cities. It’s historical significance as a global business hub is unmatched. Over centuries, this status has brought together a unique fusion of cultures; most similar to New York City – when speaking in American terms. I’ve long been a lover of anthropology and human geography. However, it’s somewhat difficult to experience and understand – on a broad scale – when you’ve lived in Arkansas your whole life. Inhabiting a foreign capital city, for nearly one fifth of a year, opened my eyes and my mind. The rich history and culture I absorbed by simply walking the streets, left me speechless from day one. The art was awe-inspiring, viewing masterpieces from all-time greats like DaVinci, Monet, and Van Gogh is something I will never forget. The architecture is a unique mix of old and new that excited my eyes every time I stepped outside. Perhaps the most stunning experience was getting to walk the halls of Parliament. Taking the same steps as Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill in a thousand-year-old building was mind-boggling. Everything from interpersonal interactions while commuting, to watching football in pubs older than the United States, gave me new insight into what the human experience is and what it can be.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this program. Any student looking “To understand the causes of things,” should consider this program. It provides a challenging academic environment – with fantastic facilities – in one of the most bustling cities on the globe. Some general advice I would give to a student interested in studying abroad: learn about where you are planning to go. Knowing little things such as where public transport is located, can be invaluable when adjusting to a new culture. In my particular situation, understanding public health regulations was very important. The last note I would give to prospective students is remember to be respectful. This important trait goes a long way when assimilating and building relationships. This summer was undoubtedly the best of my life. I’d like to end by saying thank you to the University of Arkansas Honors College for giving me this fantastic opportunity.