Public Policy
Background on the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation
The concept behind such a national study abroad program has received resounding support from citizens across the country, associations in Washington, D.C., and Congress.
Nearly one half of the Senate, Democrats and Republicans alike, offered their support for the program by cosponsoring S.3744, introduced by Senators Durbin (D-Ill.) and Coleman (R-Minn.).
Read Senator Durbin's introductory remarks on S.3744.
Based on this vision and NAFSA’s Blue Ribbon Task Force Report, “Securing America’s Future: Global Education for a Global Age,” the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program was created by Congress in section 104(a) of Division H of the Constitutional Appropriations Act, 2004 (Public Law 108-199) to research and recommend a program that would dramatically increase and diversify the number of U.S. undergraduate students studying abroad each year.
Building upon the bold vision of Senator Simon, the Commission focused on the primary goals of the program, underrepresented populations in study abroad, diversifying locations of study abroad, ensuring quality and safety, and eliminating barriers to study abroad.
The late Senator Paul Simon suggested funding a program that would pay for each student to study abroad – a worthy, but expensive proposition. The Lincoln Commission, while recognizing that the money needs to be in the hands of the students, wanted to create a more cost-effective program that would address existing institutional barriers to study abroad (curricular, financial and other) by leveraging institutions to increase opportunity to quality study abroad experiences.
Read a message from NAFSA's Executive Director, Marlene M. Johnson, on the Lincoln Commission's Report. (November 2005)
View the Commission's report detailing the current situation, the challenges ahead and the recommended solutions. (November 2005)
View the Lincoln Fellowships Commission Set Press Release. (October 2004)
109th Congress
During the 109th Congress, more than 1,100 letters were sent to U.S. Senators asking for their support of the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Act of 2006 (S.3744). University and college presidents around the country also actively worked with their Senators to support the legislation. NAFSA and the higher education presidential associations (NASULGC, AASCU, NAICU, ACE, AACC, and AAU) each endorsed the legislation.Nearly one half of the Senate, Democrats and Republicans alike, offered their support for the program by cosponsoring S.3744, introduced by Senators Durbin (D-Ill.) and Coleman (R-Minn.).
Read Senator Durbin's introductory remarks on S.3744.
The Vision
The late Senator Paul Simon put forth a vision to open wide the doors to study abroad for all U.S. undergraduate students. He believed that a more internationally educated citizenry would make the United States “more understanding of the rest of the world” and would create “a base of public opinion that would encourage responsible action…” He envisioned a bold program that would change our nation.Based on this vision and NAFSA’s Blue Ribbon Task Force Report, “Securing America’s Future: Global Education for a Global Age,” the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program was created by Congress in section 104(a) of Division H of the Constitutional Appropriations Act, 2004 (Public Law 108-199) to research and recommend a program that would dramatically increase and diversify the number of U.S. undergraduate students studying abroad each year.
Building upon the bold vision of Senator Simon, the Commission focused on the primary goals of the program, underrepresented populations in study abroad, diversifying locations of study abroad, ensuring quality and safety, and eliminating barriers to study abroad.
The late Senator Paul Simon suggested funding a program that would pay for each student to study abroad – a worthy, but expensive proposition. The Lincoln Commission, while recognizing that the money needs to be in the hands of the students, wanted to create a more cost-effective program that would address existing institutional barriers to study abroad (curricular, financial and other) by leveraging institutions to increase opportunity to quality study abroad experiences.
Read a message from NAFSA's Executive Director, Marlene M. Johnson, on the Lincoln Commission's Report. (November 2005)
View the Commission's report detailing the current situation, the challenges ahead and the recommended solutions. (November 2005)
View the Lincoln Fellowships Commission Set Press Release. (October 2004)
