London: Economy, Trade, & Environment

Study the British economy, its people, and the effects of Brexit in the heart of London itself. London is an ideal location for experiential learning for global perspectives because of its history as a center for trade and development over the last several hundred years, as well as the city’s role as one of the largest financial hubs in the world. As a “global city,” London has evolved from being a city of merchandise trade to being one of the premier financial services centers of the world. On this seminar, we will explore the role of financial services, merchandise trade, trade policy, immigrant populations and cultures, and other events in the evolution of modern London. Globalization and the interactions between the cit and the rest of the world are researched and explored through coursework and numerous site visits.

You will stay in an apartment-style accommodation, in a single bedroom with an attached bathroom and a kitchenette. Breakfast is served daily, and three additional meals— a Welcome dinner, High Tea, and a Farewell dinner—will be provided.

March 1, 2027

Late May 2027, exact dates forthcoming.

Course: ECON 4438: London's Economy, International Trade, and Brexit

Credit: 3 credits

This course shows how London’s economy has mostly been shaped by trade with its global partners. London’s interconnectedness with the global economy has given rise to an increase in trade over the years and has had an important impact on the structure of its economy. London has developed specializations and comparative advantages, with much of London’s growth arising from being a center of finance and business. With this came a multitude of activity and services, and London is now both an importer and exporter of goods and services.

During this course, topics of study may include:

• relationships with different colonies and with their trading partners,
• the importance of UK in world history,
• current UK trade and growth,
• the preparations for Brexit and the ramifications on its people,
• the economy, trade, and relationship with the rest of the world
• difference between the USA and UK in terms of historical trade patterns

Dr. Fahima Aziz is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Minnesota. Her research interests include micro-finance, poverty and income inequality, gender issues in the labor market, and, recently, the scholarship of teaching and learning. Dr. Aziz is deeply interested in examining how students learn and the importance of instilling metacognitive skills.

Excursions may include:

• Museums, including British Museum, Bank of London, Dockland Museum, Maritime Museum, and the Natural History Museum
• Lloyd's of London
• Economist
• Greenwich/Maritime Museum
• Oxford University
• Cambridge University
• Brick Lane Walking tours (Square Mile)

For more information about this program, please contact Fahima Aziz at [email protected].

March 15, 2027

Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions. The program fee generally includes tuition, group flight airfare, airport transfers, in-country program related transportation, housing, some meals, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, program administration, and international health insurance. You must also budget for passport and passport photos, some meals, textbooks, independent travel, and miscellaneous living expenses.

If you wish to cancel your participation in the program, you must email the instructor, Professor Fahima Aziz at [email protected] and submit a “Request for Cancellation of this Application” in your LAC application. Cancellation is effective from the date the request is submitted to the LAC application. You will likely continue to accrue non-recoverable costs until notification is sent.

The cancellation policy and relevant financial obligations also apply if you have been confirmed and your application is canceled by the instructors for failing to submit required materials by the deadline, and if you are dismissed from the program after it has already started.

You have the option to appeal the cancellation policy when canceling a program due to extenuating circumstances. Learn more about the LAC's cancellation policy and what constitutes as extenuating circumstances.

Financial Obligation

The application fee and confirmation deposit are non-refundable. The instructors reserve space in the program for you upon receipt of the Confirmation and Payment Agreement. At this point, the Program incurs certain non-recoverable costs.  Therefore, if you cancel at any time after the Confirmation and Payment Agreement has been received, you will be responsible for part or all of the program fee, as described in the sections below.

The application fee, deposit, and program fee, if applicable, will be fully refunded in the following cases:

• The instructors and/or the LAC cancel the Study Abroad London course before the official start date or,
• You are a waitlisted student and your application is canceled because no additional spots became available in the program.

Refund Schedule

• 75 days or more prior to the start date: Application fee + confirmation deposit + non-recoverable flight costs
• 74-60 days prior to the start date: Application fee + non-recoverable flight costs + 25% of remaining program costs
• 59-45 days prior to the start date: Application fee + non-recoverable flight costs + 50% of remaining program costs
• 44-31 days prior to the start date: Application fee + non-recoverable flight costs + 75% of remaining program costs
• 30 days or less prior to the start date: Application fee + non-recoverable flight costs + 100% of remaining program costs