One hundred percent of Goucher students study abroad. So it’s no surprise that exchange students who come to the campus are comforted by this strong common tie among community members and know they’re not alone.
“I think when students read about Goucher or come to campus, they learn about our commitment to internationalization and sense of community,” said Mary Tandia, assistant dean for multicultural student services. “They come here, and it’s a natural fit.”
Though the campus is often cited for being welcoming, the reasons students come are diverse: geographic proximity to Baltimore and Washington, DC; recommendations from friends and counselors; scholarship opportunities; and the academic options at the college, with studies spanning both the sciences and humanities.
Michelle Tirto is from Indonesia, lived in China for most of her life, and now studies at Goucher. She said she was initially attracted to Goucher’s location, but what she has enjoyed most about her experience is the focus the college has on social justice and change.
“All too often people get worked up about conflicts and environmental problems in a far flung country, and forget the actual needs that are present in the city,” she said. “Many of my classes have illuminated me on the many systemic problems Baltimore is dealing with, and the many solutions people have proposed.”
For Rebecca Bell, a native of England, whose family lives in Singapore, it was Goucher’s size that drew her to the school.
“I like walking down Van Meter and knowing a lot of people personally or even just by face … . It’s manageable for me,” said the senior, who initially came last fall as an exchange student and loved it so much that she ended up transferring to Goucher permanently instead of going back to the University of East Anglia in England for her final year.
When first investigating possible study abroad sites, Bell said she knew essentially nothing about American colleges, much less liberal arts colleges. After conducting research on websites such as College Prowler and noting Goucher’s appearances in college guides and rankings, she decided it was the place for her.
She said the good vibes continued the first day she stepped on campus in fall 2010.
“I can’t get over the first time I drove onto campus and was bombarded with people coming up to me and talking to me,” she said. “When I walked into Admissions, the kind woman behind the desk actually applauded me and welcomed me with a hug. It’s a different kind of environment at my university in England. The fact that people were initially so friendly and helpful and kind in offering assistance immediately made me feel I had made a good choice.”
Vidur Bharatram, originally from India, said his peers and the Goucher community as a whole have been one of his favorite things about the college. “I liked the campus and how happy people are,” he said. And so far, so good. “I’m meeting really interesting people and having a good time,” he said.
Tobias Breuer was born in Germany, has an Indian heritage, and most recently lived in Belgium. He said he was initially drawn to the college because of the book Colleges That Change Lives.
He said the most surprising thing about his experience so far is the dynamic environment that has resulted from the study abroad requirement. But the thing he really loves? “The access to professors,” he said.
Tirto, Bell, Bharatram, and Breuer are just four of more than 100 exchange or foreign students at Goucher. “They’re from all over, from Venezuela, Brazil, southeast Africa, Iraq,” Tandia said.
She said Goucher’s emphasis not only on students going out to study in other countries, but also on attracting and welcoming students to campus really reinforces the college’s mission to nurture thinkers with a global outlook.