Memoirs of a Traveling Economist

The story of an academic who ended up becoming a world traveler.



When Kjell Christophersen moved to America from Norway and ended up getting a PhD in economics at Washington State University, he found that jobs in academia were uncertain. He worked on World Bank and USAID projects traveling to foreign countries and caught the traveling bug. From then on, he got used to the long flights, culture shock, hectic schedules, and foreign food for the thrill of traveling all over the world to make deals.



This book is the memoirs of a Christian economist who has seen the world, seen the way American foreign aid projects are evaluated and promoted, and seen their pitfalls and weaknesses. He gives sober warnings about the limitations of foreign aid and other American-funded programs, while telling entertaining stories of adventure and mayhem. Whether he is being attacked by monkeys or elephants or narrowly escaping a coup, Christophersen keeps the reader's attention and gives a taste of what it is like to be an American-Norwegian visiting and living in foreign countries. This book will make you both think and laugh.