Nationally, we need to look at demographics. Do the numbers reflect the average face of a college student? Then do these numbers reflect the socio-economic status of a certain group? If so, we need to spend more money and other resources to increase participation from outside the "norm".

Outreach to students that traditionally do not participate 2. Determine what factors are keeping students from participating 3. Address factors keeping students from participating

I think the Simon bill will provide additional scholarship assistance that will be truly helpful. Also, I think the Simon bill will encourage institutional linkages in new ways that can be beneficial to students in terms of lower-cost programs with more options. Changing those numbers is tough because of the number of outside factors which affect participation (loss of income from off-campus jobs, family constraints, etc.). More high-quality, short-term programs which can be used by all seems to be one solution that might be effective. Infusion of scholarship money will be another big factor.

I don't really feel that people outside the IE community know about the Simon Bill. This initiative needs to reach the wider audience outside of the IE network; it needs more "airplay." So I guess it would be a type of marketing initiative or sorts...

Mandatory training for advisors who influence students' schedules and goal setting - they are lacking in information and incentive to advise on these programs.

We have about 45% Hispanic, plus 5% for the other non-white populations. This reflects our demographic. We have used 3 key strategies: Accesibility (must have program variety to meet academic and person goals), Acceptability (must be recognized for credit by colleges), and Afforability (must emphasize programs that cost for basics of tuition, room and board what it would normally cost a student). With that strategy, we have focused on finding scholarships for students to cover the extra costs of study abroad, such as air travel, passports/visa fees, international travel insurance, immunizations, etc. We target underrepresented students for these scholarships, and this has increased enrollments across the board, since we also consider whites who are also facing economic barriers to study abroad. I have found that we have motivated students to study abroad, and now have been finding extra financial assistance from partnerships and other sources.

At least at our institution, it is cost that is the biggest barrier to students so the Simon Bill will introduce more opportunities for students to get aid.

With increased attention on short-term study abroad, it seems that males are participating in international experiences at a higher rate than before. Increasing the variety and types of study abroad programs also attracts historically under-represented academic majors --as well as helping the issue of gender balance. Regarding race, the study abroad statistics approximately reflect the general population at my institution. Perhaps increasing diversity in study abroad could also help increase diversity in higher education? The Simon Study Abroad Act could truly be revolutionary in that way! Regarding the previous page about marketing and incentives for study abroad...what is needed are financial systems within higher education for making this already-existing dream possible for so many interested students. There is interest--even demand--for study abroad and the attention should be shifted from marketing and popluarizing it to actually making it possible for a larger segment of the population.

I think increasing the financial support is first and foremost. After that, there should be an increase in diversity of programs offered. That way students first see that studying abroad is realistic and they can participate because it can be affordable, and then they will also see that it can fit into their academic schedule by finding a program that fits their interests and provides credit.

Role models in co-curricular progams serving students of color (panel presentations with returned students, alums, influential faculty and public figures). Financial aid targetted both at costs of study abroad and forgone earnings for low-income students. Marketing in the mainstream media as well as college media emphasizing diversity in study abroad, and practical rewards of study abroad in careers and life.

Requirements for study abroad for certain majors/programs that will eliminate the family pressures to NOT study abroad. With a lot of minority families in the US, the family is not as supportive of study abroad as one might expect--they either consider it not appropriate for the student for example "Black students don't study abroad" OR they have the sense that the students are missing out on a quality US education to go to a lesser institution abroad.

I hope that educational administrators will see the need for study abroad and they will push for curricular reforms so that study abroad can be done without sacrificing or postponing graduation goals

Any mandated policy from the government will hopefully filter down to a mandated policy on a college/university campus. This will, in turn, push faculty and administrators to further encourage a study abroad experience for their students.

I think goals 3 & 4 are the keys: Encourage diversity in student participation in study abroad Diversify locations of study abroad, particularly in developing countries Location and type of program are key to meeting diverse student needs. Money is the second piece of that. We need to be flexible in how we define study abroad to include programs that fit differing student goals and ability to go. As an industry we aim high - we want maximum benefit. But when attracting a new "type" of student whether multicultural or non-traditional, we need to start where they are at. For some that means shorter programs or work/service-learning options.

Hopefully the Bill will provide scholarships to those students who cannot study abroad because of limited financial resources. It the Study Abroad Offices can receive support from their administration, (staffing, budgets) there are many things we can do to promote study abroad, but may not have the time/resources to do so.

Many students feel that money is a barrier to study abroad (whether true or not) and scholarships offer a way to make study abroad appear accessible. If these scholarships are given to students of color and the percentages rise then I think they will double. By this I mean that once study abroad becomes a norm in communities of students of color they will flock to it. Personally, I think direct outreach needs to be done to students of color in partnership with offices on campus that work with them. Study abroad offices need to put a visible effort into building these bridges and addressing needs and concerns of students of color.

If scholarship were available, I think it would help some under-respresented populations see that cost may not be an impediment.

The field has been talking about this for years, and has yet to come up with a quick-fix solution. One view is that students who don't study abroad will be disadvantaged in a global and multicultural job market.

Obviously, if Study Abroad could be made mandatory more (all) students would go. We offer a lot of programs, but cost and interest in living outside the US are factors in whether students go or not. To make it mandatory, we would have to be able to offer a lot more scholarship money than we currently do.

If the Simon Bill presents study abroad as a national goal and provides funds for it, more students of color may be able to consider it more seriously. Better information needs to be provided to both students and their parents. Financial aid needs to be able to travel, and grants must be provided to cover additional costs. Returnees of color must be included in recruitment efforts.

More mentoring of underrepresented students. More flexiblity within "tight" majors for students to squeeze in study abroad. Get more faculty of these "tight" majors to be more supportive of study abroad for their students.

Focus on public institutions for funding and curriculum integration.

Study abroad is seen as something that takes lots of money, and often needs to be encouraged by parents, friends, and other family members. The trend perpetuates itself because those who have done it in the past are more likely to encourage their children and friends to try it. Offering more scholarships will help all groups see that it can be affordable.

To change this, the Simon Bill would have to ear-mark a certain percentage of funding for underrepresented groups. On our campus, we're developing a peer advisor program specifically targeting underrepresented groups. We need to address the barriers/concerns of our students and I'm not always sure study abroad information begins educating students at the point where they need information (e.g. FINANCIAL AID APPLIES!).

For many of these students, cost is most visible as a factor. Many scholarships only cover a small portion of the cost ($500-1000), but not enough to make an impact to considerably reduce the cost of the program and make it more comparable with attending a public institution. Scholarships like Gilman and Freeman Asia have been extremely successful at getting students of color to apply on my campus because the awards are more generous.

Those numbers of participation rate, actually mirror the percentage of those student ethnicities on campus. So, I don't necessarily think that will change. If you only have 5.17% Hispanic on your campus, the most you can ever send abroad is 5.17% and that's not realistic. It's more likely to be 3%.

Continue to be intentional about encouraging the underrepresented student groups to, at least, consider study abroad; that's the first step. I work with students on an individual basis to respectfully discuss and address their concerns and what they see as hindrances to their participation in study abroad.

More RECIPROCAL exchange programs....i.e. for the same cost as being here, you can go there...you won't lose your scholarship/financial aid/etc. Stress to students and educate their parents that it is not just okay to take more time in school (i.e. graduate in four years? Hah!) if along the way they participate in strategic educational and career-building programs like study abroad and internships. Students today are under a lot of pressure by their parents to not spend one minute more than is necessary in college. Also, validate academic credit earned via study abroad...even if it is not through classes taught by your own faculty. There is a "snooty" myth that "unless it's taught by us, it's not the same". That is true if you are looking at "the same" being the outcome you want. It might be better to take European History in Europe or English Lit. in the UK, etc. Faculty need to get over their egos and be okay with the concept that "different" is not necessarily better or worse, its' just different.

Need more programs for families of students of color, to help them understand the value of study-abroad and be more comfortable with letting their son/daughter go away; also need to address work and family responsibilities that prevent many students of color from taking advantage of study-abroad opportunities even when money is available. More diversity in the staffing of study-abroad offices and programs would help as well; there are not enough persons of color in these positions and offices.

I think that if we want to increase the numbers of university students studying abroad from underrepresented populations we need to increase exposure to the value of study abroad in K-12, so that students can plan on this being part of the college experience.

Study abroad outreach needs to happen across the board in college classrooms and groups, not just those that have an "international bent" to them such as language classes or int'l studies. US History or African-American Studies students and classrooms - for example - should be equally considered and demonstrated the great value of study abroad.

The Bill will put a major focus on consortia and has looked towards Community Colleges. That could make a significant impact on the minority populations and minority-serving institutions.

More affordable programs. National focus on value of study abroad. Support for integration of study abroad within university curricula - students & parents need to SEE how study abroad fits into the academic program.

Try to target male-dominated majors and get the faculy on-board to support study abroad. We've targeted e-gamers on our campus (male-dominated major) and have 27 going to our new campus in Montreal. So I guess we really need to create the opportunities for them with appropriate courses, internships and begin with settings (i.e. Montreal) that are not too intimidating.

Peer pressure works. As more minorities go abroad and have a positive experience, friends will follow. More funding for area that Our college does not cover such as airfare, boooks and travel abroad will also help.

The bill can help make study abroad more affordable for all groups. I think we can try to increase numbers of all underrepresented groups by tailoring marketing materials, target certain heritage groups for certin programs, offer summer for student althetes, etc. Work closely with departments to get faculyt buy-in.

Community College numbers are greatly different because our students are diverse themselves. Therefore, in colleges that have majority minority populations, that is reflected in the Education Abroad programs as well. To increase the numbers, both institutional and individual student support are needed.

Increase the overall numbers and be color blind. Any program that targets groups will alienate some and have minimal benefit on the targeted groups. Lower income students already have access to the Gilman. Gilman should be expanded to include more countries. Lincoln scholarships should provide opportunies for the folks in the middle who are just not able to take on more debt and who do not qualify for Pell grants.

Have students of color who have returned from studying abroad serve as mentors to encourage other students of color to study abroad.

There would have to be HUGE financial incentives to make a dent in these numbers: not only making up the difference in the cost of study abroad versus on campus costs, but also funding to cover opportunity costs, i.e. making up the gap in loss of employment earnings so students can go abroad and not suffer financially during the time they are not working. Strong Social commitments and ties to community organizations we understand keep African American and Latino participation in study abroad low. If a service learning component could be added to more study abroad programs, it might be more appealing to this group of students who currently are staying home. 102. I believe that if the message is sent, by employers, that study abroad is important and perhaps necessary, more students will WANT to study abroad. Funding from the Simon Bill could then be used to help those who want to go and who need the aid.

Support from faculty and parents. The media needs to stress the value of study abroad. Grad schools, med schools, law schools, employers need to say publically that they vaule study abroad and that they want students who studied abroad. Too many students think it will hurt them to go abroad.-it will hurt their chances for College Honors,deparmtental honors,and faculty won't be able to write strong letters of recommendations for them because they were away. False but they think it!

I would like to see graduate and professional schools counting study abroad as a factor in getting accepted to their programs. I have too many students tell me that they can't study abroad in because they've got to take this or that course, or prepare for the LSAT or whatever. They study abroad as a liability taking away from the chances of getting into grad school rather than an asset that will enhance their applications.

I think it will take time to change these perceptions. Study Abroad needs to be seen as relevant academically, socially and professionally. I think we need to advocate within the academic and professional community to show that study abroad helps students gain invaluable skills.

Encouraging colleges to let all financial aid be used for study abroad. Providing additional funding for targeted groups, i.e. first generation students and those who typically need to work while going to school. The loss of part-time income while abroad can dissuade students. Even the price of a passport and a student visa can be too much for some student's budget and can serve to deter students who might otherwise be interested.

I think for a lot of our Asian American students (the biggest minority group on our campus) it is a matter of money and cultural issues. The studetns are often 1st generation immigrants, and culturally they are expected to stay at home (especially the females) to help out.