3-2 Engineering Program and Studying Abroad

I am a Junior in high school looking into 3-2 engineering programs. I would most likely complete a degree in economics at a liberal arts college and then hopefully transfer to either Caltech or Columbia to pursue a degree in computer science (I have found that many liberal arts colleges have 3-2 programs with these two universities). However, I am also interested in studying abroad for either a semester or possibly for a full year. Generally, is studying abroad even an option for students in 3-2 engineering programs because of the strict course requirements? If studying abroad is an option, would it be during my first three years at a liberal arts college or during my last two at either Columbia or Caltech.

Thank you in advance for your input!

Studying abroad is difficult if you plan to get two degrees in five years. If you do, you would do it during the first three years. Columbia has a 3-2 and a 4-1 with its own College and it’s School of engineering where you would receive two bachelors degrees in five years. Going to Columbia Engineering gives you the advantages of all the courses and resources of an Ivy League liberal arts school that you would not find at Cal tech or MIT.

has anyone completed the program with a business major as there first major? How difficult is this to do?

and I hear that studying abroad makes the courses easier, is this true?

Columbia does not have a business major. They have an economics major.

ricck1, eggschell was referring to his liberal arts college (not CU) when speaking of a business major.