NAFSA supports public policies that increase opportunities for American college students to gain the global education that is necessary for them to thrive in the global economy. A generation ago, there was a national concern that students without access to computers would fall behind their peers and be at a competitive disadvantage in seeking jobs; the same can be said today of students without access to global educational opportunities. Study abroad is a learning opportunity that enables students to develop critical skills and that contributes in vital ways to preparing students for the competitive global environment into which they will graduate.
Policy Priorities
- To make study abroad the norm, not the exception, for today's college student. Congress should pass the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act to incentivize higher education to increase study abroad and provide a cost-effective, sustainable way to ensure more diverse U.S. undergraduates can study internationally.
- All policy leaders, from the national, state, and institutional levels, should use their platforms to articulate the importance of knowing other cultures and languages and should encourage students to seek out international learning opportunities.
- The President should include funding in each year's budget that prioritizes study abroad and international learning experiences.
- Colleges and universities should exert greater leadership to ensure that every student seeking a path to an international learning experience can find one; tailoring study abroad programs to nontraditional students' needs; making learning abroad accessible, affordable, and attractive; and integrating global learning into the curriculum.
Legislation
The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act
The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act seeks to build off of successful efforts by the administration to expand access to study abroad for U.S. college students by enhancing the State Department's Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students (IDEAS) program and formally renaming it as the "Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program".
The bill was introduced in the 118th Congress by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
Take Action
- Send a message to your members of Congress urging their support for the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act and for new and federal funding for study abroad to ensure that a larger and more diverse number of students gain the global skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to compete in today’s global workforce.
- Sign up for our Connecting Our World policy and advocacy newsletter to stay abreast of our campaigns to advance these policies and how you can help. It is delivered once-a-week and the asks of you are always quick but impactful. Add your voice to the call for a more peaceful, globally connected world!