Pauline Economists in New York - October 2007

The annual expedition by the economics department to New York and Washington DC was another triumph for all concerned. The weather played its part in ensuring that all could enjoy the highlights of both the financial and political capitals of the world's only super-power.

40 students embarked on a hectic schedule of meetings and visits. Being in the same room as $150 billion of gold, meeting senior economists at Merrill Lynch and watching the work of the New York Stock Exchange and NYMEX ensured that all were up to date on the various economic problems that face the global market in the coming months. "Sub-prime" was frequently mentioned in deliberations.

Professor Bruce Greenwald (OP) hosted an evening at Colombia University with a lecture debunking globalisation followed by dinner at Dinosaur BBQ - clearly Professor Greenwald knows how to win Pauline friends quickly.

But it was not all work in New York - the boys managed to find time to catch a show on Broadway and watch the Knicks lose to the New Jersey Nets, before venturing to even warmer climes in Washington DC.

Washington was in the grip of election fever - even though it is more than a year to the general election people seem already willing to crown a new President Clinton. Speaker after speaker - Republican and Democrat conceded that Hillary Clinton could only win the election, it was hers to lose; we shall see on November 3rd 2008.

In DC the boys toured the Capitol courtesy of the potential future President, although she seemed to have too many engagements to meet with the Paulines - her loss. A number of influential movers and shakers - lobbyists, journalists, advisers, diplomats were all brought before an inquisitive and demanding audience also.

Undoubtedly all the boys returned from the US as experts on global economics, and US macroeconomics and politics, after the 10 days immersion in US culture.

A full set of photographs from the trip is available here (for those with intranet access).