The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, a bill that would increase and diversify student participation in study abroad programs, is expected to reach the floor of the United States House of Representatives within the next few weeks.

The bill would appropriate $80 million for grants used to provide opportunities to students for study abroad experiences. Within the next 10 years, advocates of the bill hope to increase student participation in study abroad programs from 200,000 college students per year to 1 million.

One percent of all college students study abroad every year, while nearly 50 percent of college-bound high school students express interest. The bill hopes to provide opportunities to students who are underrepresented while expanding study abroad locations.

According to www.yearofstudyabroad.org, two-thirds of students who opt to study abroad do so in Europe, while only 3 percent study in Africa and less than 1 percent in the Middle East.

The bill follows the ideology of former Illinois Sen. Paul Simon in making study abroad programs the norm for college students rather than the exception.

“Paul Simon was a wonderful man,” said David Fenner, assistant vice provost for international education and director of International Programs and Exchanges at the UW. “He was one of the most thoughtful people in our government, and I hope they honor him with [the bill].”

Fenner said there is great need for a federal study abroad policy.

“We are the only industrialized nation that doesn’t have a nationwide international education policy,” Fenner said.

If the United States had an international education policy with resources behind it, every student could have some type of international or global education experience, Fenner said.

While student involvement has increased during the last 20 years, 80 percent of students do not study abroad during their undergraduate years, Fenner said.

“I want to make sure everybody has that experience because it is so enriching,” Fenner said.

ASUW Student Lobbyist Bryce McKibben said he believes student involvement will play a large role in the bill’s future.

“I think [the bill] might pass if students are really active in supporting it,” McKibben said.

However, it takes time for people to become familiar with a new piece of legislature. If the bill is passed, it will most likely happen next year, or the year after.

This act is just one piece of the puzzle for improvement in education, McKibben said. Congress has also been trying to pass legislation involving student loans and interest rates, as well as assisting students in getting to college.

“We’re finally getting to a point where Congress is looking to improve higher education,” McKibben said.

Information from: thedaily.washington.edu

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