Highlights from the interns who took part in the IFREE-sponsored Experimental Economics Intern Program at Chapman University
Summer 2009

Seven interns spent six weeks during the summer of 2009 in the IFREE-sponsored Experimental Economics Intern Program at Chapman University. They highlight their experience below:

Pete Abbate, George Mason University, 2011

“This internship gave me a chance to learn about myself as well as economics, and it helped me to develop intellectually in a way that my classes (at least in recent memory) have failed to provide. Close examination of experiments has helped me better understand how to begin when designing an experiment and given me a glimpse of exactly what can go wrong – or right – once you bring subjects into the lab.”

Joy Buchanan, Chapman University, 2011

“The summer internship program is a great opportunity to learn about experimental economics and be part of a diverse intellectual community. This internship has been more useful and enjoyable than any economics class I have taken (and the books are free!). ‘Thank you’ to everyone who made this possible.”

Michael Gamboa, Troy High School, 2010

“As an intern I have gained valuable insight into the field of experimental economics. The reading club/discussion we had each morning was an excellent supplement to the internship because I was able to further my knowledge in natural law, psychology, and other topics of interest. The fact that there were others there to discuss the information I took in was of significant value.”

Matt McMahon, Chapman University, 2014

“During the summer of 2009 I learned a lot about economic theory. Personally, I learn the best through conversation; I was afforded the opportunity to work and interact with faculty who helped me develop my understanding of the scientific process through lots of one-on-one interaction.”

Maciej Pisarek, London School of Economics, 2011

“The summer internship at ESI was a great experience. Since my home university does not offer courses in experimental economics, it was an opportunity for me to grasp the rudiments of this field. Through analyzing data from different projects, I have learned how one can design and implement economic experiments in the lab. I have discovered that they can be used in testing the predictions of economic theory as well as shedding some light on the intricacies of human behavior and interactions. I am grateful to IFREE for inviting me to Chapman University and letting me participate in this internship.”

Karl Schurter, University of Virginia, 2011

“What sets this program apart from others is the breadth and depth of exposure to the subject which it provides for the interns. Because of my involvement in this program, my perception of economics is evolving. Entering the program, I held immature views of economic inquiry, but I have ‘graduated’ from old habits of shifting supply and demand curves in trying to solve every problem. Our discussions regularly introduced new perspectives and shed light on facets of economic questions I would never have discovered otherwise.”

Matt Simpson, Iowa State University, 2013 (Ph.D.)

“The breadth [due to this internship] was particularly great. Not only did we talk about economics, but we also ventured into cognitive science and philosophy of mind as well as the connection between evolutionary biology and social conventions. I have a feeling I’ll be thinking about both of those topics for a long time. Assisting with different experiments was also useful in understanding how to design them to better answer a particular question.”

Andrew Smyth, Florida State University, 2013 (Ph.D.)

“I first became familiar with experimental economics in a class taught several years ago by Profs. Vernon Smith and Bart Wilson at my alma mater, George Mason University. That class sparked a desire which subsequent IFREE-sponsored summer internships have stoked: to make experimental economics one of my concentrations in graduate school. In brief, my summer internship was an outstanding, one-of-a-kind, learning experience, and I would like to thank IFREE for making it possible.”

Jake Troesh, Chapman University, 2012

“I learned a lot this summer during the internship just being in such an intellectual community. Being involved with the morning discussions on economics was a blessing also in discovering how much I learned from various viewpoints. I learned a lot more from this internship than I could have imagined I would.”