The 8th Applied Economics Intensive at University of Edinburgh

The 8th Applied Economics Intensive at University of Edinburgh successfully took place between August 7th and September 1st, 2023. This was the first ‘post-corona’ sojourn, following the no-travel years of 2020 and 2021, and the ‘with corona’ cohort of 2022, when various restrictions such as PCR tests and MySOS applications were still in force. This year felt like a return to normal for all involved.

A cohort of 16 students took part in Applied Economics Intensive during summer 2023. Applied Economics Intensive is an 80-hour English intensive that takes place over four weeks in August. A key aim of the program is to introduce students to Study Abroad, providing them with the English-language, academic and cross-cultural skills required for longer-term overseas study. The course takes place within a CLIL (Content-and Language Integrated Learning) and ESP (English for Specific Purposes) framework, with a focus on topics and vocabulary related to Economics.

This bespoke course is a collaboration between English-teaching staff at YNU and University of Edinburgh. Students study at the Paterson’s Land campus near the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Every year, students have weekly preparation sessions at YNU before departing for Edinburgh that prepare them for social chat with locals and more academic registers. The preparation was handled by Professor Alexander McAulay and Associate Professor Yuting Chen, with logistical back-up from the international education staff in Academic Affairs.

Having said that this year felt like getting back to normal, one important difference for the 2022 and 2023 cohorts is that they stayed in dormitory accommodation and not homestays. The self-catering aspect was new to many students, and they enjoyed the camaraderie that comes from sharing flats.

The course includes training in research skills that culminates in a 10-minute presentation in the final week on a topic related to their readings in Economics. Topics covered include the Scottish oil industry, financial services in Scotland, the Scottish whisky industry, and the economics of tourism in Brexit. The students worked on their academic research, writing and presentation skills during the day, and in the afternoons and evenings developed their speaking and listening skills with University of Edinburgh students, who as ‘mentors,’ introduced the YNU students to Edinburgh cultural and social life, as well as providing English-language support.

Outside of class, the students engaged with all that this UNESCO World Heritage site has to offer. The world’s most famous arts festival, The Edinburgh International Festival & Fringe (EIFF), takes place in Edinburgh every August, when the population of the city swells as artists and performers arrive to put on one of literally thousands of performances that happen each day. Edinburgh is nicknamed ‘Festival City,’ and in fact five festivals take place during August, including EIFF, the International Book Festival, and the Arts Festival. The mentors helped YNU students to attend the many plays, musicals, concerts and street performances that Edinburgh offers daily.

Social and cultural events play a big part in the AEI experience. Many students took advantage of the three-day weekend to go on a Highland Tour, where they could see the breathtaking scenery of the Highlands and Isle of Skye. There was also a ceilidh, an evening of traditional Scottish dance, that was an fresh and exhilarating experience for many.

Students commented in the final days that they improved their English-language ability, intercultural communication skills, and gained a stronger perspective on Scotland and Japan’s place in global society. Preparations are already underway for the 2024 Applied Economics Intensive. More details of the program are available on the Department of Economics dedicated Study Abroad website.