International Study Tours
Each year, the Real Estate Association plans an international study trip to learn more about diverse and emerging real estate markets. Past destinations have included Mexico, China (including Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzen, Beijing, and Shanghai), South Africa, Brazil, and Colombia. International trips are co-sponsored by the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate and the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for International Business.
Australia 2023
In March 2023, a group of MBA students traveled to Sydney, Australia for a real estate study tour. The group made the most of their time down under and visited 8 real estate, infrastructure, and banking companies, while also enjoying an alumni reception with Australia based CBS alumni. A trip to Sydney wouldn't be complete without visiting the Blue Mountains, meeting some koalas, and spending some time on the beach. Also in attendance were Senior Lecturer in the Discipline of Finance and Economics, Brian Lancaster and Managing Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, Kristin Svenningsen. The trip was sponsored by the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business and the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate. The trip was organized by Richard Alty '23, PJ Carollo '23, Brenden Keen '24, and Ned Yale '24.
"One of the many fun moments that occurs upon leaving the workforce and becoming a born-again student is when you realize that you get another chance (or two) to enjoy spring break. In MBA world, spring break plans happen early, and they happen fast - before I had even taken my first exam in the fall, I committed to helping organize a large spring break trip to a place I had never been before located on the other side of the world. While the opportunity to go somewhere new and learn about an international real estate market was obviously exciting, I did not fully appreciate at the time how impactful and memorable this trip would be (Continue Reading Here)" - Brenden Keen '24
Argentina 2022
The 2022 trip was to Argentina.
Mexico City 2019
In March 2019, a group of MBA students and from the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate traveled to Mexico for a real estate study tour. The group spent 7 full days in Oaxaca and Mexico City, splitting their time between professional and cultural activities in order to learn about the nuances of the local market. Also in attendance were Paul Milstein Center Executive-in-Residence Leanne Lachman and Managing Director Kristin Svenningsen. The trip was sponsored by the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business and the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate. The trip was organized by April Chye ’19, Jason Yun ’19, Valentina Pardo ’19, Federica Burelli ’20 and Chris Grube ’20.
Hong Kong & Shanghai 2018
—Kenneth Thompson ’19
From March 12th to 16th, 2018, 30 Columbia Business School real estate students and administrators traveled to Hong Kong and Shanghai, learning about the market in China and meeting with both local and foreign real estate companies. Also in attendance were Paul Milstein Center Executive-in-Residence Leanne Lachman and Managing Director Kristin Svenningsen. The trip was sponsored by the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business and the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate. The trip was organized by Mandy Yeung ’18, Pat Banyatpiyaphod ’18, Robin Lore ’19, and Tommy Chan ’19.
South Africa 2017
On March 13th 2017, 36 students aimed to get to the bottom of all things Real Estate while embarking upon this journey. Joined by Executive-in-Residence of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, Leanne Lachmanand Soula Proxenos of International Housing Solutions, we visited Johannesburg and Cape Town, touring established private and public real estate investment firms, banking institutions, local entrepreneurs and non-profits investigating the state of the real estate market in South Africa. What did we learn along way?
China (Guangzhou and Shenzhen) & Singapore 2016
—Charles Griffith ’16
Forty students from Columbia Business School attended a study tour to Singapore and Southern China from March 13th through March 20th. Also in attendance were Professor Lynne B. Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor of Real Estate, and Executive-in-Residence Leanne Lachman. The trip was sponsored by the Jerome A. Chazen Institute for Global Business and the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate. The trip was organized by Charles Griffith ’16, Cheryl Kong ’16, Durrell Mack ’17, Joseph Noon ’17, and Erin Williams ’16.
Singapore and Southern China (specifically Guangzhou and Shenzhen) were chosen for this year’s trip due to high growth and rapid development in both areas from a real estate perspective. Both locations experience immense governmental involvement from concept inception, planning and entitlements through development.
Bogotá, Colombia and Mexico City, Mexico 2015
—Christopher Doman ’15
During Columbia Business School’s spring break from March 14 through 22, a group of 22 real estate students and faculty members traveled to Bogotá and Mexico City to understand more about these emerging markets, their real estate dynamics, and doing business in these cultures.
On the docket were full days of visits with local real estate players such as Terranum Capital in Bogotá and Thor Urbana Capital in Mexico City, in addition to city tours and visits to historical sites and museums.
China: Beijing and Hong Kong 2014
A group of 32 Columbia Business School real estate students and faculty members headed to Hong Kong and Beijing over spring break 2014 for a deeper look at the Chinese property market.
On the agenda: dim sum, a Peking duck dinner, the Great Wall, and visits with more than a dozen local and international developers and investors. The extensive itinerary included meetings with companies ranging from Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity firm, to local players like Swire Properties, one of the largest commercial landlords based in Hong Kong.
Brazil 2013
—James Hoeland ’13
South America’s leading economy and one of the most intriguing markets for global real estate investors was the destination for this year’s Columbia Business School Real Estate Association international study trip.
Students were accompanied by Lynne Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor of Real Estate and Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate and M. Leanne Lachman, Executive-in-Residence at the Paul Milstein Center.
China: Shanghai and Hong Kong 2012
—Matt Giammanco ’13
One country, 2 special administrative regions, 9 passport stamps, 12 company visits, 26 students, not to mention planes, trains, automobiles, and boats were all part of the 2012 trip.
Students were accompanied by Lynne Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor of Real Estate and Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate; M. Leanne Lachman, Executive-in-Residence at the Paul Milstein Center; and Kate Kerrigan,Administrative Director of the Paul Milstein Center.
Mexico 2011
—Matt Micksin ’12
In 2011, 24 real estate students visited Mexico to learn more about the real estate market in Mexico City and Cabo San Lucas. The group was accompanied by M. Leanne Lachman, faculty advisor and Executive-in-Residence, and Nicola Mare Usher, the Assistant Director of the Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate.
Highlights of the trip included company visits and site tours with CBRE, Grupo Ideal, Mexico Retail Properties, dine, O’Connor Capital Partners, Walton Street Capital, PREI, GEO Residencial, and Snell Real Estate; and a reception with the Alumni Club of Mexico City at Club 51 in Torre Mayor.
Brazil 2010
—Rishi Gupta ’11
In 2010, 26 real estate students visited Brazil to learn more about the emerging real estate market in Sao Paolo and Rio de Janiero. The group was accompanied by Lynne Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor of Real Estate and Director of The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, and M. Leanne Lachman, faculty advisor and Executive-in-Residence.
In Sao Paolo the group took a city tour visiting Ibirapuera Park, Historical Downtown, and the Govenors Palace among other sites. Students met with colleagues at Jones Lang LaSalle, Tishman Speyer, GP Investments, GTIS Partners, and Hines; and enjoyed a reception with alumni living and working in the Sao Paulo area. In Rio de Janiero the group toured the city and had the opportunity to meet with colleauges at BR Malls, the Rio Olympics 2016 Organizing Committee, and the City Planning Office.
South Africa 2010
In 2009, 20 real estate students visited South Africa to learn more about the real estate market in Capetown and Johannesburg. The group was accompanied by Lynne Sagalyn, Earle W. Kazis and Benjamin Schore Professor of Real Estate and Director of The Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate, and M. Leanne Lachman, faculty advisor and Executive-in-Residence.
In Johannesburg the group toured Soweto and Soccer City and enjoyed company visits and site tours with Broll Properties (CBRE), Apexi Properties, Growth Point Properties, and Gauteng Tourism. Highlights of their agenda in Capetown included a Winelands your and company visits and site tours with Dubai World Africa; One & Only Cape Town, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Company, Pam Golding Properties, and Rabie Property Group.