Chazen Global Study Tours are an opportunity to learn firsthand about business cultures in other countries. Students meet with leading executives, government officials, and alumni while visiting company headquarters, factories, and cultural sites. Students travel on behalf of Columbia Business School and are expected to act as ambassadors of the School brand by actively participating in company visits and alumni receptions. The culture of study tours is open and inclusive to build and strengthen relationships between students.
Study Tour Basics
- Students have an average of two company visits a day (8-12 throughout the week) and all meetings are mandatory.
- Study Tours usually last from 7 to 12 days over winter break or spring break, with occasional May or August tours.
- Students must attend the entire trip.
- Tours have a minimum number of 20 students and a maximum of 30. Some tours may have lower caps for logistical reasons.
The Chazen Institute reserves the right to cancel a study tour due to low enrollment or other circumstances which would make the study tour non-viable. If a study tour is cancelled, your deposit will be refunded.
Eligibility
- Only current, full-time Columbia Business School students (no significant others).
- Students must not have holds on their student accounts. Each student must reconcile his/her account prior to submitting a tour deposit.
- Students not officially enrolled in the study tour cannot participate in any study tour activities.
- All students traveling on a Columbia program must have valid travel medical insurance that covers routine and emergency care.
How to Sign-Up for a Study Tour
To register for a study tour, students will use the Chazen Tours Matching System. Study tour matching rounds take place in August/September for winter break tours, November for spring break tours, February for May tours, April for summer tours.
- Students will rank each tour by preference and the program will assign positions (similar to CourseMatch)
- You can be assigned to any tour that is given a numerical value; if you are not interested in a tour, please leave it unranked
- There is only one round of matching
- Students can add or change their preference anytime during the matching period.
- Students can secure spots on multiple tours, but must ensure that trips do not overlap.
- No swapping tours with another student, switching between tours, or selling spots is allowed.
Before you join a tour: Please review your schedule prior to matching for a study tour! This helps study tour leaders have an accurate picture of who is genuinely interested in joining a trip and will convert their preference to paid deposits.
Waitlists
Students who do not match on a study tour are placed automatically on a waitlist. You can check your waitlist position on the Chazen Tours Matching site. If a spot becomes available to one of the tours you assigned a numerical value, you will be offered a spot and subsequently removed from any other waitlists. Students can add themselves to the waitlist at any point after the matching period ends.
Study Tour Fees
Fees vary depending on the study tour, but generally range from $1800-$3000. They include:
- Double occupancy hotel room
- Local transportation
- Some meals
- Some cultural activities
Students are expected to stay in the same hotel. International airfare is not included.
Payment Process
Payment is a two-step process:
- Students with successful study tour matches have 48 hours to pay a non-refundable deposit online or they forfeit their spot.
- Six to eight weeks before the trip, students make a final payment.
Students are not able to increase their loan eligibility for a study tour unless they are doing an associated independent study.
The Chazen Institute Travel Fund offers need-based financial assistance. Applications are due in the summer.
Non-Refundable Deposit Policy
Deposits are non-refundable, as payment goes toward ensuring securing your spot, trip viability, and competitive rates. Once you make your payment you are considered committed to the tour - you may not swap, sell your seat, or switch to a different tour. Please consider all potential conflicts before submitting your deposit.
There are no exceptions for classes (including Global Immersion and Block Week classes), interviews, weddings, student activities, conferences, personal travel, etc.
Requests for Withdrawal
In the unfortunate event of one of the following exceptional circumstances, only then will a refund be considered:
- Medical illness that would prevent you from traveling
- Family emergency such as death or serious illness of immediate family member (parent, child, sibling)
- Military service
- Religious observance
- Court appearances, such as jury duty or a court summons
- Visa denial – students must submit proof that they made a concerted effort to apply for the visa (Chazen will not accept last-minute denials)
Requests for withdrawal must be made in writing to the Chazen Institute at [email protected]. The request must include the reason for appeal and supporting documentation. If approved, Chazen will credit a refund back to the original credit card used for payment. Chazen will refund the deposit and final payment, minus any non-refundable fees and expenses already incurred (these fees will vary from tour to tour).
If the drop is made after the final payment deadline, the student may be responsible for the full cost of the tour depending on the cancellation policies of the respective study tour.
Vaccinations and Immunizations
Vaccinations and immunizations are recommended for many global destinations. Please review the latest health and safety information from University Health Services and schedule travel appointments if needed. Health Services is particularly busy leading up to school breaks, so please schedule an appointment as early as possible.