Participants in The Columbia Senior Executive Program spend one week in residence in New York City. Staying at the Flatotel, a contemporary hotel in midtown Manhattan, participants take classes on the Columbia University campus and at locations throughout the city, immersing themselves 24/7 in the city that never sleeps.

CSEP Class 124 spent time on the Columbia University campus.

While waiting outside the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - one of the session venues - Jennifer Condon, manager, Enterprise Ireland, said she appreciated having a whole weekend to explore New York City on her own. "I shopped like mad!" she said with a laugh. "We were provided a Metro pass, which was great because you could go anywhere you wanted to. It was nice to have that kind of freedom."

Charles Silk, Senior VP, OCBC Banking Group, said that one reason he chose CSEP was because of the week in New York City. "It would be a shame if we spent the entire time near New York City, but did not get a chance to experience the city itself," he said. "This week has added new dimensions and provided many exciting things to do."

Participants in CSEP Class 124 spend an evening in New York City cooking alongside a professional chef.

In addition to reveling in the sights and sounds of the city, participants in CSEP Class 124 enjoyed several learning events: they danced at Alvin Ailey, cooked dinner alongside a professional chef, and experienced an evening of jazz at Sweet Rhythm in Greenwich Village.

Ms. Condon particularly enjoyed the time spent on the Columbia campus. "You get a sense of the history of Columbia University, and the wider activities within the campus," she said. "I think it also shows the importance of the Business School, and being in the city anchors the program within the university and New York.

"It's been great to mingle with the students on the campus who are preparing for graduation," she added. "It reminds you of where you once were."

CSEP  

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Another program that features New York City as the classroom is Customer Experience Management, with Faculty Director Professor Bernd Schmitt.