Economics major Erika Dahlgren studied abroad at Sciences Po in Paris, an institution with a strong focus on economics, political science, and the social sciences. The program aligned with her academic concentration in economics and interest in international policy and was recommended through UW’s study abroad advising process. As a French-American student, studying in France also held personal relevance, while Sciences Po offered a European institutional context for studying economics. Her time abroad provided an opportunity to examine economic theory within a different regulatory and policy environment.
During her time at Sciences Po, Erika completed coursework in International Trade and Finance, Economic History, European Political Economy, and Banking and Financial Regulation. These courses closely aligned with economics coursework at UW while approaching the material through European institutional frameworks. “Studying them in Europe allowed me to analyze how those theories operate in practice under different regulatory structures and political constraints,” she explained. A significant portion of the curriculum focused on the European Union as an integrated economic system, with attention to monetary coordination, trade policy, and supranational governance.
Studying economics abroad also emphasized the role of institutions and political coordination in shaping economic outcomes. “Studying economics abroad emphasized how deeply economic outcomes are shaped by institutions, history, and political coordination,” Erika noted. Courses frequently examined economic integration through the European Union, including discussions of centralized monetary policy alongside decentralized fiscal authority. This comparative perspective highlighted differences between European and U.S. economic systems and reinforced the importance of governance structures in addressing global economic issues.
Outside the classroom, living in France provided daily exposure to how economic policy influences markets and individual behavior. Erika observed how labor protections, healthcare access, transportation systems, and consumer pricing are closely tied to regulatory and policy decisions. “Experiencing these systems firsthand highlighted how different policy choices reflect societal priorities and shape economic incentives,” she shared. Her study abroad experience ultimately informed her academic direction, contributing to her decision to pursue graduate studies in France and further focus on international economics.