Exchange programs allow students to study at a different institution as part of their degree. Typically, students will use this opportunity to study abroad at a foreign partner of their home institution, though exchange programs can sometimes take place in the same country. Regardless, these programs are a fantastic way for students to broaden their horizons, take specific courses at another institution, and study abroad without committing to living multiple years in another country.

Professor Marcel Fratzscher, esteemed macroeconomist and president of the DIW Berlin, once again asks questions about economics and life in general to a peer in the field. This time, he has the pleasure of being joined by postdoctoral researcher Dr. Jesse Wursten, who generously agreed to take the hot seat in this exchange. Thus, the back-and-forth has been dubbed Fratzscher vs. Wursten, as is tradition. What follows is a conversation that offers insight into some of the challenges of balancing family with an economics career, the usefulness of economists when it comes to analyzing policy externalities, and more.

For decades, the U.S. dollar has reigned supreme as the world's primary reserve currency. Its dominance can be attributed to several factors, including the size and stability of the U.S. economy, the political influence of the United States, and the widespread acceptance of the dollar in international trade and finance. The dollar's status as the de facto global currency has significant implications for the functioning of the global financial system.

Artificial intelligence tools are becoming more and more ubiquitous with each passing week. The development of ChatGPT-3.5 in particular launched conversations about the capabilities of AI into the mainstream. Since then, news stories and speculation about AI supplanting (and sometimes replacing) human workers continue to be released. The economics of AI is, as a result, becoming an important topic in our field.

The Graduate Record Examinations, more commonly known as the GRE, is one of the most important standardized tests in the world for admission to post-Baccalaureate programs. It’s very often required by universities when considering admission into their Master’s or even PhD programs.

Islands bring to mind a particular vision of beaches, coconuts, and relaxation that’s hard to beat. Many people think of them as the ultimate vacation destination, and indeed tourism is important for many islands. Yet due to their unique geography, most islands in the world face a set of economic challenges that many mainland nations don’t experience.