International Students and Global Perspectives
Goucher welcomes international students to campus. An international community broadens everyone’s perspectives, both international students’ views of the U.S. and American students’ exposure to the world through them.
Domestic students benefit from exposure to different backgrounds and viewpoints in classroom discussions as well as casual conversations. International students get to know American culture more directly and accurately. Everyone develops a stronger understanding of the impact of the global challenges that we face and how we can work together more effectively.
Our Partnerships
Goucher is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a multilateral exchange program. Our membership allows Goucher to receive more exchange students each year from a variety of countries.
Our new partnership with Lingnan University in Hong Kong has become active following the 2019-2020 Hong Kong protests and the COVID pandemic. We have also successfully hosted students through UGRAD Pakistan, a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by IREX, that engages undergraduate students in academic, community service, and leadership experiences while building relationships with Americans during their semester at Goucher.
Programming
The Office of Global Education sponsors a Global Conversation Hour, with the goal of bringing together international students and American students to talk about various topics, such as their favorite holiday foods or vacation, different government early approaches to COVID and the individual impact of those decisions, and fashion. We hope that this becomes a place of connection and conversation that continues beyond the event.
The Goucher International Student Association provides support for international students through social gatherings like cooking night, international dinners, and a World Cup watch party. They also share their culture and food with the entire campus through the annual International Festival.
By the Numbers
Our international student population at Goucher is diverse. During the Fall 2022 semester, we had 52 international students on campus from 31 countries.
While our degree-seeking international student numbers declined through the pandemic, our recruitment efforts have increased, and we are seeing progress. Goucher will continue recruitment efforts to increase the international student population.