Last year, 300 students participated in Eastern’s study abroad program.

President Bill Perry said he wants to increase that participation by 10 percent and increase that number to 330 students.

“We want to continue to increase our study abroad participation,” he said.

A bill on Congress’ agenda this year would help make that more possible and easier for students to study abroad.

The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act bill was introduced on March 12, 2007.

It passed the U.S. House of Representatives on June 5, 2007 and is awaiting the U.S. Senate’s approval. The bill passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier this year.

The bill would require the Foundation to award grants to U.S. students and nongovernmental institutions that provide and promote study abroad opportunities for students in association with higher education institutions.

Resources would be provided to higher education institutions and students to develop quality study abroad programs and take advantage of study abroad opportunities, said Wendy Williamson, director of the Office of Study Abroad.

She said if passed, the act would really help students study abroad.

“Especially, in this difficult economy, we need all the help we can get,” she said. “I think that increasing the resources available for scholarships, etc. would really help increase the percentage of students who study abroad.”

Williamson said Eastern would work within the bill, if passed, and apply for any grants that would become available because of the bill.

The act sets a goal that in 10 years’ time, one million students will be studying abroad annually in programs around the world.

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