Long Week

Classes started on Monday...that was a reality check. I had advanced macroeconomic, which I thought was great. It should be a very interesting class, going in depth on things such as macro policy/theory/economists, global banking system, and other macroeconomic areas. I know, it's not for everyone, but I think the class will be very interesting. There's about 15 students in it...including me, 3 from the UK, and the rest from all over the world (middle east, eastern europe, south america).

On Tuesday I had romantic writings: 1770-1832...quickly switched out of that after one class and into intro to poetry haha.

Wednesday I had Modern America: 1850-1930...the class should actually be pretty fun...my professor is really cool and very funny. Wednesday I also went to Camden Town...a market type area thas full of retro thrift shops and other cool little stores...I bought an awesome hat there.

Today I had Investment Analysis and Strategy...I really like my lecturer and the course should be very interesting and useful. My seminar leader on the other hand is a huge goon. He like starts his thought, stops to think about it, smiles, and then switches to a new thought without ever finishing the what he had just said. Oh well.

In terms of grades/assignments here, it is quite different than at Edgewood. All my classes have two things that determine your semester mark. They are called your "coursework" (usually worth 30%) and your final examination (worth 70%). Most course work is in the form of an in class test of moderate length essay. The final examination are either an in class test or longer essay (12-20 pages). However, for my investments course, our coursework is different. We will all start with 10 million pounds of fake money, and have to set up a small portfolio of 15 assets. We have to then explain why we chose each asset, and the steps we took in researching the assets, our rationale for investing in them, and so on. It will be a lot of work, but should be a very good hands on experience. Oh, also with this class we have access to the "financial markets room", which is filled with double-monitor computers that are connected to Bloomberg, the investment software/information that is used across the globe. Its a really cool set up, looks just like a trading floor of a major firm.

I suppose I forgot to mention that it has been sunny here the past 4 days...very nice. Also, on Monday I went exploring...Started with the National Gallery where I saw paintings by da Vinci, Van Gogh, Michaelangelo, Monet, and many others...then I walked from Trafalgar Square towards Buckingham Palace, where there were hundreds of people standing outside...To my surprise I had showed up just in time to watch the changing of the guard, which was very cool!! A band marches through the front gate at Buckingham Palace, followed by many foot guards, and once inside the gates the go through a traditional sequence of steps and marches...very impressive. I made the mistake of walking around the entirety of the Buckingham Palace propert, because other than the front, there is nothing to see (just a large brick wall topped with the most intense spikes/barbed wire/electrical current you'll ever see). After the palace I walked to Parliament and Westminster Abbey, which, as i've said before, are both amazing buildings. Needless to say I was exhausted Monday night.

Well I am very tired and don't have class tomorrow, so I want to be well rested as I am going out to explore the city again in the morning...Maybe check out the London Eye and some of the many parks (Hyde and Regents most likely).

Cheers