| Course Description |
Global Immersion Israel: Behind the Scenes of a Leading Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OVERVIEW
This Global Immersion course provides students with knowledge, insights, and experiences with respect to Israel’s innovation ecosystem. What is the “secret sauce” that propelled Israel to its present leadership position, a global innovation and entrepreneurship hub often referred to as “startup nation,” that hails the highest concentration of startups and unicorns per capita? The course's in-class meetings and its one week visit to Israel will provide background and hands on exposure to some of the key drivers, including leadership, politics, economics, geography, and culture. Students will gain an understanding of Israel's unique circumstances and achievements through a combination of academic learnings, guest speakers, business and government leaders that will share first hand experiences and perspectives, and on-the-ground exposure to Israeli businesses, cultural and historical sites.
This Global Immersion course begins with six 1.5-hour sessions, followed by a one-week study trip to Israel. The course's pedagogy combines current examples, presentations, guest visits by leaders from business and government.
Travel to Israel is planned for March 14-21, 2026.The ongoing conflict in the region over the past two years has fortunately culminated in a recent cease fire, of which the US was instrumental in brokering and enforcing. Nevertheless, It is possible that if the security situation deteriorates, we will have to cancel and offer an alternative travel plan.
Global Immersion Program classes bridge classroom lessons and business practices in another country. These three credit classes meet for half a term in New York prior to a one week visit to the country of focus where students will meet with business executives and government officials while working on team projects. Upon return from the travel portion of the class, students may have one wrap up meeting at Columbia Business School. The 2025-2026 Global Immersion Program fee for all classes is $2100 and provides students with double occupancy lodging, ground transportation and some meals; unless an increased fee is otherwise specified in the course description. It does not cover roundtrip international airfare. Attendance both in New York and in country and regular partic |
