Global Immersion: The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Israel 

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 business meetings 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. The class will nominally meet for six 1.5 hour sessions during the A term with travel to Israel planned to take place March 13-20, 2027. It is important to note that at present, the university is not allowing travel to many middle eastern destinations including Israel. Should the situation stabilize travel to Israel will take place as indicated over spring break, with a final decision by mid-January and announced, with any appropriate details, to students enrolled in the course. If travel is not permitted, the class will continue to meet in the B term with Israeli companies and organizations in New York City. These class meetings will take place on two Fridays allowing for longer sessions to travel to meetings away from campus (dates and details TBD if relevant). In this manner enrolled students are guaranteed to receive full credit for the course regardless of whether international travel is permitted by the university. The Global Immersion Program fee for 2026-2027 is $2500 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. This will be charged to your student account upon enrollment, and refunded if a decision is made that travel will not take place. Global Immersion Program classes bridge classroom lessons and business practices in another country. Attendance both in New York and in country and regular participation are a crucial part of the learning experience and as such attendance is mandatory. Unexcused absences are highly frowned upon and will have negative consequences on class grade, and students who have expected conflicts should not apply for this course. Students who miss the first class meeting may be removed from the course. No program fee refunds will be given after the add/drop period has closed. Please visit the Chazen Institute website to learn more about the Global Immersion Program, and visit the Global Immersion Policies page to review policies affecting these courses.