Goucher made headlines a few years ago when they announced they would require all students to participate in a study abroad experience. They back up this requirement with a $1200 stipend for each and every student to help pay for expenses that would not be covered by tuition and financial aid. Goucher students select from a seemingly endless variety of programs, ranging in length from a few weeks in January to the entire year. The programs are so popular with students that many go more than once. Also distinctive about Goucher’s academic program is the emphasis on writing. Beginning in the freshmen year, students are coached, tutored and instructed in writing, required to take as many as four English classes, write constantly in their courses and generate papers regularly.
For their size (2300 students total), Goucher offers quite a few majors, including business, peace and conflict studies and education certification. Enthused students spoke passionately about internships opportunities in Baltimore and the intersection of hands on learning on campus and woven into their study abroad experiences.
The Towson campus is located just outside the Baltimore city limits on spacious newer campus, the first stop on the Baltimore Collegetown Shuttle service system. The newest building on campus is the Athenaeum, which contains the library, group work areas, a café, performance space and exercise machines - clearly a space designed by and for students! Stables for twenty-five horses support the equestrian team and dance studios provide space for ballet and modern dancers.
Goucher would be a good fit for a Californian who wants the college experience to include a temperate climate, proximity to a diverse urban setting, a plethora of study abroad opportunities and as much academic challenge and he or she is willing to take on.
