Joint Statement of Support for 2006 The Year of Study Abroad

The higher education community invites everyone with an interest in upholding excellence in undergraduate education to join us in applauding and endorsing the recent U.S. Senate resolution declaring 2006 as the Year of Study Abroad.

The resolution (S. Res. 308), introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and co-sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.), Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.):

• recognizes the important role that study abroad plays in shaping U.S. education and global leadership, and
• encourages all U.S. citizens, higher education institutions, secondary schools, businesses, and government programs to promote and expand study abroad opportunities.

All signatories encourage action that embraces this opportunity for campus dialogue and community education about the value of study abroad.

Studying abroad is often cited as one of the most effective tools for public diplomacy and language development, not to mention cultural enrichment and international knowledge. Although more and more U.S. students study abroad each year, that number still represents just slightly over one percent of the undergraduate student population. In this age of boundless global connectivity, we believe that this number must rise.

This resolution boosts the visibility of study abroad in the United States. Let us all heed the call to open wide the doors of global understanding through promoting and expanding international educational exchange opportunities.

So endorsed,

American Association of Community Colleges
American Association of State Colleges and Universities
American Council on Education
Association of American Universities
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
The Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program

These organizations invite you to visit www.yearofstudyabroad.org to become a signatory. Thank you!