Bill Overview
Title: Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2022
Description: This bill expands access to study abroad for U.S. undergraduate students. It revises the Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students program (commonly known as the IDEAS program) and formally renames the program as the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program.
Sponsors: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Target Audience
Population: U.S. undergraduate students interested in studying abroad
Estimated Size: 200000
- The bill specifically mentions U.S. undergraduate students as the primary target for expanded access to study abroad.
- Current participants in the IDEAS program will be directly impacted as the program undergoes revisions.
- Prospective U.S. undergraduate students interested in study abroad opportunities will benefit from the expansion of access.
Reasoning
- The targeted population consists of U.S. undergraduate students, approximately 20 million potential applicants, planning to engage in study abroad programs.
- The budget constraints imply that only a subset of students will benefit each year, approximately 200,000 over 10 years, given the diversity and comprehensiveness of the programs.
- The policy target is limited by funding and is designed to increase and diversify participation in study abroad, which affects primarily students and indirectly their families and educational institutions.
- In my simulations, I will include students who plan to study abroad, those not currently interested but potentially influenced, as well as faculty members and administrators to cover a broader perspective from the educational contexts.
Simulated Interviews
Undergraduate Student (New York)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've always wanted to study abroad, but the costs have been a big concern.
- If this policy makes it more affordable, it could be a game-changer for me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Undergraduate Student (California)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't see myself studying abroad, so I don't think this policy will impact me.
- It could be good for others who want that experience, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Undergraduate Student (Texas)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think studying abroad could open many doors, but it's not easy to plan with limited resources.
- This initiative might make it easier for someone like me to consider it seriously.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Undergraduate Student (Florida)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not sure what I want to do yet, but studying abroad sounds exciting if it becomes more accessible.
- Right now, I don't have a clear plan, but this policy might give me options.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
University Administrator (Illinois)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could mean a lot of extra work for us but also incredible opportunities for our students.
- We are excited to expand our programs and make study abroad more inclusive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Faculty Member (Massachusetts)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My students often struggle to afford study abroad, so this policy could really help.
- It may also enrich classroom discussions with more diverse experiences.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Colorado)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I benefited immensely from studying abroad and would love to see this opportunity extended to more students.
- This act could pave the way for broader acceptance and implementation in schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Parent of Undergraduate Student (Ohio)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My kid wants to study abroad, but it's a big financial commitment.
- If this policy helps with some of the expenses, it would definitely alleviate our concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Prospective Undergraduate Student (Georgia)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing that there will be more options and support available gives me a lot of hope.
- I'm still deciding on my college, and this could be an important factor in my decision.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Government Official (Washington)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's rewarding to see policies enacted that can tangibly improve educational outcomes.
- Our goal is to ensure the funds are used effectively and equitably to benefit diverse student groups.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $210000000 (Low: $157500000, High: $262500000)
Year 3: $220500000 (Low: $165375000, High: $275625000)
Year 5: $242550000 (Low: $182550000, High: $303187500)
Year 10: $292156500 (Low: $219116250, High: $365825625)
Year 100: $707619130 (Low: $530714347, High: $884523913)
Key Considerations
- Expansion of the IDEAS program requires additional federal funding.
- Program administration costs will rise with increased participation.
- The target population involves approximately 1%-2% of U.S. undergraduates.
- The long-term benefits, such as increased economic productivity and tax revenue, are speculative and not easily quantifiable.