There are too many unknowns to be helpful. Chicago MFin is enrolling its first cohort, so expect many adjustments, mistakes, and challenges in the first few years while they iron out the process.
Generally, an MFin program run by a business program is not technical enough compared to its counterpart, such as the Chicago FinMath. You are also sharing resources with their bigger, more established MBA program.
I don't know who will be the next director of the Columbia MAFN program, but given Prof. Lars's sudden passing, I expect the search to take some time. In the meantime, I'm sure there will be someone to run the program in the interim, hopefully
@IzabelaRutkowski
Your goal will be to get a job right out of the program in the job type that will allow you transfer the knowledge back to your country.