Emma LEDUC
Projet d’initiative
Licence 3 Economie et Finance
« How I loved my trip in Arizona as an exchange student »
A coproduction
UCL (Université
Catholique de
Lille) and ASU
(Arizona State
University)
Featuring
international
stars
….
Moriel Adimor ~ Irvine ~ USA
David Dos Ajos ~ Madrid ~ Spain
Alexandre Buhannic ~ Toulouse ~ France
Jill Carle ~ Chandler ~ USA
Megan Carle ~ Chandler ~ USA
Fanny Chan ~ Hong Kong ~ China
Jacky Chang ~ Hsinchu ~Taiwan
Lok Chung ~ Honk Kong ~ China
Safiya Clay ~Tempe ~ USA
Alli Coritz ~ Tucson ~ USA
Naomi Danton ~ Tempe ~ USA
Paulo Da Silva ~ Lisbon ~ Portugal
Hector Salvador Ferri ~ Madrid ~ Spain
Gordon Faster ~ Huston ~ USA
Mathieu Gattaz ~ Grenoble ~ France
Ryan Gerken ~ Omaha ~ USA
Robert Glick ~ Philadelphia ~ USA
Alexander Greinacher ~ Essen ~ Germany
Morgan Halas ~ Lille ~ France
Julia Heighton ~ London ~ United Kingdom
Rodrigo Arandia Herrera ~ Puebla ~ Mexico
Katie Holt ~ Saint Louis ~ USA
Christopher Kark ~ Tucson ~ USA
Mikael Kula ~ Bielefeld ~ Germany
Arnaud Labalette ~Mulhouse ~France
This small person
is actually me.
Let me introduce
you the summary
First, I’ll
talk about
all the great
teachers
whom I’ve
met at the
ASU
Then, let’s talk
about our long
nights…
II.
…The incredible
weather…
III.
I.
V.
IV.
…Usually at the
library…
Hopefully, we had a
lot of fun !
And
anecdotes …
VI.
I. My teachers
I took 4 different classes, Survey of International
economics, Accounting and Financial Analysis,
Advanced Honors Macroeconomics 2, and
Introduction to Econometrics.
¤ Survey of International Economics ECN 306 ~ Mr Josef Brada
This topic is quite similar to Mr Mace’s classes. We talk about Ricardo, international trade,
exchange rates…but the book is so long to read !
Once or twice per week, you have to take quizzes online (www.applia .com) and you have
to take 4 different exams, the last one is called the Final.
Mr Brada wrote the book Eastern European Economics (click here to see the summary)
I. My teachers
¤ Accounting and Financial Analysis ACC382 ~Stephen L. West
You have to buy the reference book, Survey of Accounting by Warren.
4 tests of 50 questions + exercices every week
Dr West’s son did an exhange program in Gernamy, so this teacher
definitely knows how hard is it sometimes to learn in a foreign
language. He is really open-minded, and helpful. And he is always
available if you have any questions, regarding the exercices, the
book….
Let’s talk a little about the books.
The educational system in the US is different from France. There are only 4 to 5 classes (12
credits) but the students have more homework. The tests aren’t just about the lecture, but
also about the reference books. So you must read hundred s of pages per week, learn them, and
do the exercices or papers that the teachers ask you to do.
Reference books are really expensive. I paid 150$ for a brand new accounting book, But for
the other classes, I bought second-hand books which I sold back at the end of my trip.
I. My teachers
Advanced Honors Macroeconomics 2 ECN414 ~ Edward Schlee
One of the hardest classes. You don’t really need the reference book
(priced at 50$) but the class is hard. You would really need to focus
during the lecture. There aren’t a lot of students in this class (15~20),
so you can ask question easily.
Every week, you have an assignment due. Usually, you have to do it
with a study group. Americans love study groups .You just meet each
other to begin the homework.
The Mid-term isn’t an exam, it is a homework which is really long to do. Your final is an
« open-book » exam (and it’s not a quiz like in the other classes) . However, this doesn’t mean
that it’s easy. The exam was very challenging.
Mr Schlee is an intelligent professor however it gets to be difficult to follow him because he
tends to think and talk too fast! But still, it was definitely a pleasure to attend his class.
I. My teachers
Introduction to Econometrics ECN425 ~ Seung Ahn
Mr Ahn is a South Korean teacher, you have to work hard for his class.
You have to learn his notes, the book, and also learn how using eviews,
an econometric program.
There are 4 tests (25% multiple choice questions, 75% exercices) and
also 3 homeworks, one of them is called « a paper » it is like a
dissertation about a topic of your choice.
Arizona State University (ASU) is one of the biggest University in the US, almost 60,000 students.
The ASU is divided into different departments (language, education…) The Department of
Economics is called « WP Carey School of Business »
At the WP Carey, you might meet Dr Edward C. Prescott, Awarded
2004 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences
He shares the prize with Finn Kydland of Carnegie Mellon University
and the University of California, Santa Barbara
Prescott, who is part of the W. P. Carey School’s department of
economics, is known for his seminal work in policy analysis, business
cycles, economic development, general equilibrium theory, and finance.
His examination of time inconsistency in the context of government
policy making has helped shape the debate over the effectiveness of rules
versus discretion in the conduct of economic policy. His work on
business cycles has recast the way economists think about economic
fluctuations, arguing that they represent the optimal response of the
economy to various shocks.
Want to learn more about him ? Click here
II. The weather
When I arrived in Arizona :
During the day 110°F (43°C)
During the night 86°F (30°C)
3 rainy days on 5 months
On Mid-September, it’s getting colder (hopefully) , but all the time
sunny.
Important : bring in your luggage : sunscreen and Aloe Vera ! Trust me…
Because of the weather, we can call Arizona as a desert. Just rocks and exotics trees, palm trees
and cactus…
The problem with this weather is the American’s way of living. Imagine American people using
every day their cars, using air conditionning, building fontains everywhere…
Some people say that Tempe is an ecologic disaster…
III. Our long nights
As I said, the way that we study in the US is really different.
First, let me show you my schedule
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
9H30 - 10H15
ECN306
9H30 - 10H15
ECN306
12H15 - 1H30
ECN425
12H15 - 1H30
ECN425
3H15 - 4H30
ECN414
3H15 - 4H30
ECN414
7H - 9H
ACC382
I didn’t have a lot of classes however each class required a lot of work. There were a lot of
homeworks and translation to be accomplished and piles of readings to read. Occassionally you
would also need to meet with your study group just in case you have trouble in understanding
some of your lessons.
Probably because of the sun, you go to bed later and wake up later also (like in Spain) . We
usually spend our nights studying. Some periods are much difficult than others. The period
« Mid-Terms » is really hard because all the tests are scheduled in the same week.
My first test was terrible. I didn’t know what kind of test to expect so I asked Mr Brada and
he told me that it was a multiple choice test. I thought it was going to be easy… but I was dead
wrong ! After this test, I got used to studying more…
IV. The library
IV. The library
Hayden Library is a really
special place. Close to the
memorial Union (with all the
fast food places), it is the
heart of the ASU. Hayden
library is bigger than all the
UCL !
A part of the Hayden library
is underground.
Hayden libray isn’t
specialized on one topic,.
They offer a variety of books
in different fields.
It is open 24/7. If you want
to do an all nighter, you must
use your ASU ID :
« SunCard
Library’s rules
When you see that
signs, it means :
free to talk
Be discret
Not
allowed to
talk
V. A lot of fun
51. Halloween
Halloween is such an important moment at the ASU. For one
week, parties are held everywhere in the campus. The 31st of
November was a Friday and everybody went on Mill Avenue (the
main street) to celebrate Halloween.
52. My trips
Exchange programs are really great because you get to travel. In Arizona, you can visit the Grand
Canyon…I also visited Hawaïi, Reno…
53. Traditions
531. ASU games
To go to the football game, you have to wear the yellow shirt. One of the biggest traditions before
going to the match is the « tailgate .»
Tailgating is when you go on a parking lot before a match. TheAmericans organize a BBQ behind
their cars and drink beer (don’t forget that you must be 21 years old in the US to be able to drink
,go to clubs, and enter in some restaurants after 8pm)
A football game is like magic to me. I still don’t understand the rules, but the ambiance is really
great. I still hear « bullshit, bullshit » when the referee gave the point to the other team (Arizona
University VS ASU)
532. Thanksgiving
I went to Reno to visit my American family for Thanksgiving (21th of November)
We had a break on Thursday and everybody leaves the campus during this break to see their families.
My American mother prepared a traditional american meal. Let’s see…
VI. Anecdotes
The 19th of november, Obama went to the ASU. Almost all of
the students of the University attended !
62. Language barrier
During Thanksgiving…
Emma, What do you
think about the
Turkey ?
I don’t
know…seems to
be a current topic
in Europe…
I would like a
hOt gRandE
cAfé mOcha
I would like a
hOt grandE
cAfé mOcha
Sorry ?
OOh Hot
Grande cafE
mochA
Conlusion
I really appreciate this trip in the US. I feel that I’m a different person now. I study more, I
understand better, and my English is definitely better. I didn’t talk about culture shock and feeling
home-sick because these are things that I really didn’t experience. I’ve been waiting for this kind of
opportunity for such a long time. I do not regret all the pressures and difficult moments that I had
because of all the administrative problems.
The ASU loves exchange students, and we were all like a family. It was one of the best times of my
life. I keep in touch with a lot of American and international friends.
After my term in the US, I would want to come back and finish my degree there ! It was a nice
experience, living independently and having to immerse myself in other cultures.
I met wonderful people, and I hope that you guys who will do an exchange program will enjoy as
much as I did.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at : emma.leduc@asu.edu
Special acknowledgments
…To Mrs Blondeau and Mr Van Peteghem for letting me go to the ASU…
…To Eric Leinen who was so helpful, that I contacted so many times about my
administative problems…
…To My American teachers, Mr Ahn, Mr Brada, Mr Schlee and Mr West. Their classes
were really interesting. And I keep very good memories…
…To my French teachers who helped me when I had troubles with the American homework
and paper due…
…To Mrs Perrota, who wrote a wonderful recommandation letter when I failed the
TOEFL…
END