Juan Jonathan Minna Alex Agudelo Hajar Koo Jugant El Colombian Expert El Mexican Expert
Mexico is the second largest economy in Latin America IB times wrote in Feb 2014, that Mexico s economy may overtake Brazil s in the next decade Mexico s fledgling market for real-estate investment trusts has come a long way since Fibra Uno launched the first Mexican REIT (also the first Latin American REIT) in 2011 Large foreign direct investment, coupled with population growth and the broadening of the service sector, is fueling a growing commercial real estate market in Mexico City
What else is special? Mexico City is built on a lake called Texcoco The city is constantly sinking and has sunk more than nine meters in some areas over the last 100 years Mexico City is the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world; it is the richest city in Latin America Mexico City is a street food paradise With a pedigree dating back to pre- Hispanic times the Spaniards were reportedly amazed when they arrived to find ready-to-eat food they called antojitos ( little cravings ) for sale on the streets and in the markets
This country has moved from terrorism to tourism, former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe said at the 2007 UN World Tourism Organization Characterized by a youthful population, a growing middle class, relatively low debt and dynamic economic expansion, Colombia is known as the new tiger of Latin America Following the footsteps of Fibra Uno in Mexico, Terranum launched Colombia s first REIT in 2012, making it easier for outside institutions to finance and participate in the country s growth; commercial and residential real estate values have been on the rise
What else is special? At roughly 8,700 feet above sea level, and with an estimated 7 million inhabitants, Bogota is one of the largest high-altitude cities in the world Often called the Athens of South America, Bogota has become an international entertainment center, drawing jet-setters with a taste for gourmet eateries, international music festivals and contemporary art galleries And, of course, the city practically rains fresh brewed Colombian coffee
Dates: March 14 22, 2015 Number of students: 30 student participants (Including 2 spots for J-termers and 4 student organizers) Faculty Advisors: Leanne Lachman and Lynne Sagalyn
Dates City Activity Highlights 3/14 3/17 Bogota, Colombia Company visits Alumni lunch and drinks Visit to Chapinero, Monserrate and La Candelaria Gold Museum Dinner and drinks at the famed Colombian supper club Andres carne de res 3/18 3/22 Mexico City, Mexico Company visits Arcos Bosques Mall tour Visit to Chapultepec Castle and Basilica de Guadalupe Tour of Teotihuacan Pyramids Salsa club night
Per person: $1,600 - $2,000 Includes the following: Transportation within Mexico and within Colombia One way airfare from Bogota Mexico City Admissions and tour guides for cultural site visits included in the itinerary Most meals Hotel accommodation during the trip Gratuity for tour guides & drivers Does not include the following: Roundtrip airfare from JFK Bogota and Mexico City JFK ($700 - $900) Personal purchases Required travel vaccinations (may require Yellow Fever vaccine)
Only full-time MBA students can attend (no significant others) Students with holds on their accounts will not be able to participate Students must attend the entire tour and all company visits are mandatory Sign up is through a Dutch auction bidding process: chazentours.gsb.columbia.edu There will be TWO rounds of bidding Participants must be a member of the Real Estate Association by the end of this year Study tour Bidding Dates: Round 1: Thursday, November 6 Monday, November 10, 4pm Round 1 Results: posted Wednesday, November 12. Unsuccessful bidders will have points refunded Round 2:* Thursday, November 13, 10am Monday, November 17, 4pm First 24 hours of Round 2 is a drop period; points bid in Round 2 are also used to determine waitlist position Final Results: posted on Wednesday, November 19. All successful bidders from Rounds 1 and 2 will receive an email to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit within 48 hours Unsuccessful bidders will have their points refunded, and will be placed on a waitlist (based on bid amount-highest to lowest. If a students secures a spot on the tour, he will be charged his/her waitlist bid amount
Please reach out to Jonathan Hajar (jhajar15@gsb.columbia.edu)