Bipartisan, Bicameral Reintroduction of Study Abroad Legislation

For Immediate Release

Yesterday, Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)and Brad Schneider (D-IL) reintroduced the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Act (S. 4541), a bill designed to increase the number and diversity of American students studying abroad. Among the reasons that JNCL-NCLIS, along with many of its members, endorsed this bill is that it includes a grant priority for those programs with a significant world language component.

Specifically, the bill would rename and expand the existing IDEAS grant program by codifying recommendations of a Congressionally authorized study abroad commission, setting the following new goals for the IDEA program: 

• Increase the number of American undergraduate students studying abroad each year to one million students within 10 years; 

• Increase the number of minority students, first generation college students, community college students, and students with disabilities studying abroad by prioritizing grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, and institutions that qualify for the Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program.  This would ensure that the demographics of study abroad participation better reflect the demographics of the undergraduate population; and 

• Increase the number of students who study abroad in nontraditional destinations, with an emphasis on economically developing countries, while maintaining health and safety guidelines and procedures informed by Department of State travel advisories and other appropriate federal agencies and resources. 

JNCL-NCLIS Executive Director Amanda Seewald celebrated this reintroduction, saying: “At a time when our world seems more fractured than ever, study abroad programs provide an important path to bring nations closer together by allowing American students to reside in other cultures and develop lifelong language skills. We thank Senators Wicker and Durbin and Representatives Schneider and Fitzpatrick for taking this important step.”

In a press release heralding the bill’s introduction, Senator Durbin invoked the late Senator Paul Simon (D-IL), for whom this bill is named, in his statement: “Senator Paul Simon always knew the value of understanding how the world works and how we are all interconnected,” Durbin said. “This legislation builds on Senator Simon’s vision by creating opportunities for American students of all backgrounds to see and experience the world. By giving the next generation of students the chance to study abroad, they will be better prepared to lead successful lives and expand their worldview.”

Senator Wicker highlighted the bill’s focus on ensuring greater access to study abroad programs. “Study abroad is a valuable experience for many American college students who hope to become our country’s future leaders,” Wicker said. “I appreciate this effort to expand access to study abroad for thousands of undergraduates who would not otherwise have the opportunity.”

JNCL-NCLIS will continue to work towards enactment of this bill in this Congress and, if necessary, beyond.