UM Honors Student Spends Summer at the London School of Economics

Oxford, Miss. — For Vince Chamblee, economics is more than the quirky subject of statistics and financial theory, it is also the study of human understanding—a disciplined mix of mathematical reasoning and sociology. A summer abroad at the London School of Economics (LSE) proved to be a perfect place for this Ole Miss junior economics and public policy leadership major from Fulton, Miss., to expand his knowledge and get a taste of culture with some of the world’s most renowned scholars and students.

Chamblee spent more than a month at LSE through a program coordinated by the Study Abroad Office. While abroad, he completed a course on environmental economics.

“My experiences at the LSE were remarkable,” Chamblee said. “It is definitely the school for economics.”

His coursework evaluated how industry can use the environment without depleting it. Students and professors discussed theories on how the regulation of business can exist without driving up costs.

The toughest question is: When there is no world-wide regulation, how can business stay competitive with countries that do not adopt environmental regulations?

“The truth is what we do today will definitely affect the people of tomorrow,” Chamblee said. “When Americans hear about (environmental) regulations, we tend to cringe, but there is more we can do to fix the problem.”

The LSE, which is part of the College of London, follows strict academic standards where students attend three-hour lectures in the morning and shorter discussion seminars in the afternoon during the summer term. Students come from all over the world, and Chamblee was one of eight Americans in the class of 75 students.

All examinations undergo a rigorous grading process at LSE where tests are first graded by the professor, then a panel of college administrators, and finally a government board. However, the good news is that an “A” is considered to be any score between 65 and 100.

But Chamblee’s summer abroad was not all academic. When he was not in the classroom, he explored the historic city of London.

Chamblee saw the museums and the London Bridge, but he found that he was more intrigued by the architecture and the historic buildings. He found Southwark Cathedral, where there is a 19th century stained glass window display and statue dedicated to the work of William Shakespeare, to be one of the most interesting sites of his visit. The cathedral is said to be where the brother of Shakespeare is buried.

“I like to see the things that aren’t so typical,” Chamblee said while recalling humorously how one of the first signs he saw upon his arrival in England was a restaurant advertising “Mississippi-style catfish and chicken.” Unfortunately, the restaurant was out of business.

He also took a weekend to explore Paris.

In addition to being a student, Chamblee is the student director for the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College—the equivalent to being president of the college’s student body—and is a member of Delta Psi fraternity.

“I would imagine (Vince) is the type of student that helps Ole Miss’ reputation abroad” said Jonathan Moen, chair and associate professor of economics at the University of Mississippi. “As I recall … he was always interested in the material.”

When he graduates in May 2010, Chamblee plans to apply to graduate programs in economics and finance at LSE and other schools abroad. When he finishes graduate school, he hopes to find work as a professional economist back in the United States and later pursue either an MBA or a law degree to advance his career.

(Andrew Abernathy)

For more information on the UM Office of Study Abroad visit: www.outreach.olemiss.edu/study_abroad/