By Katie Curren, News Staff

A bill circulating congress will, if passed, boost study abroad curricula in colleges and universities nationwide by expanding and diversifying locations, making studying abroad a comprehensive part of higher education.
The Foreign Relations Authorization Act, known as H.R. 2410, is aimed at funding programs that benefit US foreign policy, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Included in the bill is the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act, named after the late Democrat from Illinois, which would create a foundation funded by the government to grant money for study abroad programs and to provide better access for all undergraduates, according to NAFSA.
Anjali Ramchandani, a senior communications and literature major, said she will be embarking on a study abroad trip to Florence, Italy in the fall. Cost was a very important factor in Ramchandani’s decision.
‘It costs just as much as tuition, not more,’ she said.
Ramchandani said she knows she’ll be spending more money abroad and wishes schools would take the excessive burden off the student by keeping the overall cost of studying abroad as close as possible to living at home.
Northeastern’s program has connections with more than 60 universities more than 30 countries, according to its website. Mike Armini, vice president of marketing and communications at Northeastern, said that is was still too early to comment on the legislation.
In June 2007, the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act was unanimously passed in the House of Representatives. It has been endorsed by over 40 institutions, according to NAFSA.
Since its approval, the act was revised and added to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act. It was approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee in May and is now awaiting a vote.
According to a NAFSA study, during the 2006-07 academic year, Massachusetts ranked fourth in number of undergraduates abroad with 10,916, representing 2.42 percent of students in the state. Nationwide there was an 8.5 percent increase from the previous year, although roughly one percent of enrolled students take advantage of study abroad programs.
Supporters of the act said they hope a more diverse group of students will become more involved in study abroad programs.
For the 2003 school year, the majority of those who studied abroad were in the fields of social science (19.8 percent) and business (17.5 percent), with those studying mathematics or computer science (1.7 percent) and agriculture (1.2 percent) ranking lowest.
William Demaree, a senior mathematics major, said he thinks study abroad is a good idea because people are often more restricted after graduation, but he has never considered going.
‘It seems to fit better for certain majors. I kind of feel like I’m still doing the same math wherever you go,’ he said.
Mark Wong, a junior mathematics major, said he had considered applying to the study abroad program but feels it’s more work than it’s worth.
‘I’m concerned about coursework and how it would count toward my degree. It’s a lot of trouble to go through,’ he said.
Wong also said study abroad programs are advertised in the math department, but they are rarely offered.
‘I was told that the chances of getting in were good since no one applies,’ he said.
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