Building global awareness and international understanding is the goal behind legislation proposing an undergraduate study abroad program aimed at getting 1 million students oversees for academic credit in the next 10 years.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Republican Minnesota senator Norm Coleman this week introduced The Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Act. The act would create a program encouraging low-income and community college students to spend part of their undergraduate careers studying in other countries, particularly Asian and developing nations.

Durbin, who is a member of the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Commission, said the program was inspired by the late Sen. Paul Simon, who often encouraged students to spend part of their educational careers studying outside of the U.S.

"Senator Simon had a vision - to strengthen the role of the U.S. as a world leader by investing in the education of our young people," Durbin said. "The international study abroad program we are introducing is based on his vision and advances his work.

This program will instill in the next generation of Americans a deeper understanding of the cultures and histories of other nations. This, in turn, will enhance the United States' capacity to lead in the 21st century."

In addition to getting 1 million undergraduates oversees in 10 years, the program would help students in technical and scientific fields of study in traveling, focus on giving students experience in developing countries and make access to the program available to students who are outside of four-year universities. The program would be set up within the U.S. Department of State.

Martin H. Simon, the late senator's son, said he is happy the Senate is making a bi-partisan effort to his father's vision.

"I'm sure my dad would be proud of his colleagues for recognizing this important need, and I encourage the rest of the Senate to join them in seeing the goals of the Lincoln Fellowship program realized," he said.

caleb.hale@thesouthern.com

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