Has anyone ever been to any of the FEE seminars. I understand they are free if you are invited. Is this highly competetive? In any case it looks like they are putting out some pretty good info. If any one has attended please share your thoughts.
I’ll be teaching at two this summer. I’m excited about that.
Ha.. that will be awesome. What will you be teaching?
Something on intellectual property? [:D]
I attended both Mises University and the FEE Austrian Economics seminar in 2008.
I’m not sure if it’s competitive. I managed to get in, though I imagine it helps to apply early.
Both seminars were great for difference reasons - I follow stuff from both institutions, and it was nice to finally meet and listen to all the economists I read and have heard of.
It’s a bit of a different format from Mises University - I think Mises University was like, back to back to back lectures, with 15 minute breaks in between, all day. FEE would have hour and a half lectures but one hour lectures with 30 minute Q&A. There was also an organized discussion group at the end of the night at FEE where a speaker would get people to discuss the day’s lectures.
I’d recommend it anyway.
Could you tell us which one? 
(Or when?)
Yes, I’ve been. It’s not that competitive and yes, it is free.
I would definitly advice them: I’ve been (as a European) to 4 seminars so far and I will try to attend one again this summer.
Both of the ones I’m speaking at are in Atlanta. I’m doing one on money and one on interest, if I can recall, and maybe a couple more.
Thanks for the info. It looks like they have a few in Atlanta this summer. I’m going to apply for their Freedom University and the Intro to Austrian economics seminars. Hopefully I will be able to attend and I’ll see more than just Mr Tucker from this site.
I’ve been to the Austrian seminar, and the Advanced Austrian seminar. Neither is as “intensive” as Mises U, as in many more breaks, much more free time, and no smaller, classroom-style “breakout” sessions - everything is taught whole-group. If you want to really devote yourself to study, I find this works out better at Mises. On the other hand, if you want to network and meet Austrian girls, this works out better at FEE. I’ve been disappointed with the moving of more and more seminars away from NY, as location has always been a big reason for me to go - I live in CT, and can drive there. If I have to fly anyway, I’d rather go to Mises. In terms of competition, I’ve been accepted both times I applied, but a good student of mine was turned down for the Austrian seminar - he probably would have gotten in had he applied to an entry-level seminar.
The Advanced Austrian seminar was more on the level of Mises U, but more narrowly-focused on economics, less philosophy, history, and so on, and presented more viewpoints within economics, often highlighting areas of disagreement among Austrians.
Another thing - there is something about hearing a lecture on history of the Austrian school from a student of Mises who spoke at Royalton that really gives you a sense of attachment and connection. It might be worth going just to hear Dr. Kirzner speak. Optimally, of course, you don’t have to choose, and you go to FEE and Mises.
I was actually going to make a similar note about how the FEE seminar is a bit diverse in that there were a lot more girls than at Mises U. Of course, I’m assuming you want to go to these seminars to gain a greater insight on the nature of economics and not to hook up, haha.
I never really thought about it but JAlanKatz does make a good point about specialization. I mean, there was one night for instance there was like a sort of group sort of lecture at Mises U where two professors would sorta have an informal talk on a specific topic - for instance, I got to hear a talk by Robert Murphy discussing Austrian approaches to neoclassical “dilemmas” and Hoppe talk about private security. I guess FEE has to reach to a broader audience, sorta trying to reach out to beginners and old alike (though when I went, this was before there was a split between Intro to Austrian Econ and Advanced Austrian topics).
The seminars I went to were in Irvington at their main campus, which was awesome since you can browse through Henry Hazlitt’s private library (like I managed to look at his copy of Keynes’s General Theory). Of course, the Mises Institute library will leave you in awe since Rothbard’s library is included it in addition to probably the best library focusing on Austrianism and libetarianism in the world.
I think it wouldn’t hurt to do both. Some of it is repetitive but I do know that there were a few other people who went straight from Mises U and were on my flight to NYC to go to the FEE seminar. Kirzner is amazing to listen to and he’s definitely one of the great Austrian economists you wanna meet.
I first met Leonard Read on Mother’s Day weekend 1973 at Rosario Resort on , located in the of . Read, the founder of The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE), was leading a seminar on market economics and I was fortunate to have been awarded a scholarship to the event.
This seminar was a turning point in my life where I learned from Read, and other beacons of liberty, the “first principles” of freedom: the sanctity of private property, individual liberty, the rule of law, the free market, and the moral superiority of individual choice and responsibility over coercion.
I attended three more FEE seminars in subsequent years, and have carried the knowledge, the insight, the vision, and the confidence learned at these events ever since. I cannot emphasize enough the value of what Read called “the freedom philosophy.” and am pleased that FEE and other like minded organizations are continuing his work.
Dear Shawn,
Congratulations! We at the Foundation for Economic Education are happy to inform you that we have accepted your application to Introduction to Austrian Economics, June 7 – 12, 2010. You have been awarded a scholarship by FEE to cover the cost of tuition, room and board during the seminar this coming summer, Monday night – Saturday morning. The scholarship does not, however, cover your travel to and from FEE, or any incidental expenses you may incur during the week.
Of the seminars you’ve applied to, we understand this may not be your first choice. Please know that seminar selection is based on the quality of your application, as well as the amount of competition for a particular seminar.
We continue to receive applications and will soon begin turning applicants away when we reach capacity. It is, therefore, crucial that we have certainty about your intention to attend the seminar. We ask you to meet these two deadlines:
- Please email us to let us know that you intend to attend by 5:00 pm Monday, March 22, 2010.
- Subsequently, we must receive a copy of your travel itinerary (flight or other transportation plan) by 5:00 pm Monday, April 19, 2010. If we have not heard from you by then, you will no longer be on our list of attendees. If you need an extension, please email us as soon as possible.
You should plan to arrive at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta hotel on Monday, June 7, no later than 4:00pm. If you plan to arrive before Monday, you may stay at an area hotel or hostel. We recommend the Atlanta International Youth Hostel. We also recommend using Trip Advisor to find inexpensive accommodations. FEE is unable to expense travelers who arrive prior to Monday or who wish to stay after Saturday. Registration will begin at 4:00 pm on Monday at the Georgia Pacific Building, and our program officially begins at 5:00 pm, before the evening meal.
Check out our travel information webpage for helpful travel information. We are sure you will find the week an intellectually challenging and exciting experience. We look forward to welcoming you!
Cordially,
Margaret Morgan
The Foundation for Economic Education
Assistant Director of Programs
seminars@fee.org
www.fee.org
I was accepted hope to see some Mises people in Atlanta