The U.S. Senate, by unanimous vote, declared 2006 as the "Year of Study Abroad". The resolution (S. Res. 308), introduced by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN):
- recognizes the important role that study abroad plays in shaping American 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.
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 lingers around 1 percent of the undergraduate student population.
From The Association of International Educators.
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