Ethics and Study-Abroad Programs

Release date: August 16, 2007 |

As increasing numbers of American students head overseas for academic programs, the relationship between study-abroad officials at colleges and universities and third-party international education providers is under growing scrutiny for potential conflicts of interest.

Goucher has a firm policy of transparency and disclosure, which we feel is the best way to allay any concerns about the ethics of our study-abroad programs—and the college’s practices overall.  This has become all the more important, in light of the fact that all Goucher students – beginning with those who entered as freshmen in the fall of 2006 – are now required to spend some time overseas to graduate.

Goucher now sends students to 24 countries to participate in 42 study-abroad programs. Each of these programs either was developed by the college or is the result of a partnership with other accredited American and international universities and international educational associations.

Goucher does not have any formal or informal relationships with for-profit study-abroad organizations, and our staff and faculty do not receive free or subsidized overseas travel from external sources, back-office services to defray operating expenses, stipends to market the programs to students, cash bonuses, or commissions on student fees. Nevertheless, we are undertaking a review of all of our agreements and relationships with partner organizations, as we did when questions about financial aid practices arose at other colleges earlier this year.

Goucher’s Office of International Studies researches and reviews students’ academic needs with respect to study abroad, and then sifts through a large number of options before developing new programs or forging new partnerships. Their primary concerns are matters of academic integrity, academic credit, relevance to on-campus curricula, safety, and access to financial aid.

However, students are not required to choose study-abroad programs that Goucher has developed or that are offered by the college’s partners. They may elect to participate in programs sponsored by other institutions, and great care is taken to help them choose programs that are offered through accredited colleges and universities and that will be appropriate for and beneficial to their course of study.

We believe international awareness is necessary for anybody who wants to lead a satisfying and successful life in today’s global community, and we offer a wide range of opportunities to help students develop that awareness. This is the ultimate goal behind Goucher College’s study-abroad programs.

If you have any questions about study-abroad at Goucher College, please call the Office of International Studies at 410-337-6455.