A new bill may make some students’ dreams of studying abroad a reality.

The Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act of 2007, introduced Monday, March 12, to the House of Representatives by Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), seeks to allow students to study abroad. Ultimately, the desired outcome is to have one million students participating in study abroad programs annually.

“It’s a great opportunity for people like me, who’ve always thought about studying abroad, to actually experience it,” said Joshua Cossey, a freshman art major. “This bill is a good thing.”

NIU president John Peters, who in the past has advocated an increase in the number of students able to study abroad at NIU and around the globe, has also expressed his enthusiasm for the bill.

“I’m pleased to support this legislation,” Peters said. “It would greatly increase the number of opportunities for American students to study abroad.”

The benefits of the study abroad program include a deeper understanding of different cultures and the chance to acquire global workplace skills, among many other things, Peters said.

Changes have already been made to NIU’s Study Abroad Office in an effort to increase the number of students participating in the program, including the addition of more outreach programs like the annual Study Abroad Fair.

About 300 students study abroad through NIU each year, according to the Study Abroad Office. Cost varies with factors including length of program, location of travel and whether the student stays in one location or travels to various points during their time away.

“We’re very enthusiastic about it in the Study Abroad Office,” said office director Anne Seitzinger. “This is a huge opportunity for students across the U.S., especially NIU students.”