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International Economics
19 October 2017

An afternoon with Charles Wyplosz - or how graduate students learn to walk by themselves

Professor Wyplosz went back to the classroom for one last lecture.

In a life before the Institute, in my carefree undergraduate program, the standard answer on every Macroeconomic question seemed to be a reference to this mysterious economic textbook written by Burda Wyplosz. It took me 2 years and an almost failed exam, to figure out, that Burda is not a forename and the bible for undergraduate students is written by two authors Michael Burda and Charles Wyplosz.

Most of us took our first Macroeconomic steps under parental supervision and with the help of Professor Wyplosz’s book. As we realised a few months ago, that Professor Wyplosz is actually close at hand, we had to give it a try to get him back in the classroom for one last lecture at least. With the full support of Professor Arcand, we approached Professor Wyplosz who, as it turned out, was more than happy to work with us.

The combination of very flexible student schedules and Professors Wyplosz’ willingness to make some space in his fully packed schedule, we meet every other week for a good four hours, working out the narrative of historic advancement and economic convergence of the European Union. Having the time to go deeper and deeper to the roots of the European imbalances and the causes of the Eurozone crisis prompted the statement by one of our US students “even though I took the class by default, it turned out to be one of the best classes I have this year”.

It took me 2 years and an almost failed exam, to figure out, that Burda is not a forename and the bible for undergraduate students is written by two authors Michael Burda and Charles Wyplosz.

Overall, we read more than 60 papers over the course of 12 lectures, everybody presenting at least once. Never at this institute, have we had the time to discuss papers in such detail and Professor Wyplosz takes the time for every question – as fascinating or absurd as they might be.

We all thank Professor Wyplosz for the opportunity and the time he gives us to take our own steps under his personal supervision.

Vincent Wolff Master Candidate in International Economics 19.10.2017