Goucher College and SOCAL are making studying abroad a requirement for graduation from their respective institutions. The schools plan on making vouchers available or including the travel in students' tuition.
Lately studying abroad has increased at AU, especially to destinations outside Western Europe and Latin America.
The idea of vouchers is very appealing because it would enable students with limited resources to further their education. A school willing to go to such lengths proves its dedication to the study abroad program.
AU constantly states that it is a global university, but its costs of going abroad can be prohibitive. Although many of the abroad programs probably would be cheaper than paying room and board in Northwest D.C., the financial aid available to students planning on going overseas is not nearly what it could or should be.
Considering how much students and their familes pay Student Accounts, they should be able to get some sort of deal for choosing to go abroad. We do no think that AU should make going abroad a requirement for gradutation, partly because of how expensive it can be. But if the school could throw more money at financial aid, perhaps more students would be able to cross oceans and enlarge their sphere of understanding.
