In its effort to "internationalize," Harvard is looking in, rather than out.

Seven years ago, former University President Derek C. Bok's proposed measures, including boosting the number of international students and encouraging study abroad, to "internationalize" the campus.

While internationalizing Harvard has remained an important priority and while Harvard is making slow but steady progress in its effort to broaden the curriculum, many students say important facets of the original Bok proposal haven't been implemented.

The narrow range of study abroad programs and gaps in the curriculum are still obstacles to an internationalized Harvard.

And it seems Harvard is indeed focusing its efforts on improving internationalization on campus.

In fact, Dean for Undergraduate Educational Lawrence Buell says there are no plans to explore a 1990 "internationalization" proposed by Rabb Professor of Government Josen S. Nye.

The proposal, which was widely-debated four years ago, would have offered a Rhodesstyle scholarship for international students, established an international relations concentration and offered a "certificate" in foreign studies.

"I think our priority should be to make Harvard students aware of international and foreign cultures, and in that sense we are continuing to make an effort," says Professor of European Studies Charles S. Maier 60.

"The administration is trying to incorporate international objectives into our fund drives to provide more international centers and faculty...[but] it's mission of training largely American students about the world, and not necessarily training foreign students about the world," he says.

While Rudenstine acknowledges the importance of admitting international students, he also stresses the need for American students to gain international experience.

"[W]e want to contribute to the education and training of leaders throughout the world," Rudenstine writes in the President's Report 1991-93, which was released recently. "At the same time, we want students from the United States to understand the perspective of people from other cultures--through courses of study that capture the international dimensions of contemporary life."

International Community

Harvard has the sixth highest enrollment of international students of all private U.S. colleges. In the 1992-93 academic year, Harvard opened its doors to 448 representatives of 114 countries.

"Our community of international students...is large and strong," Rudenstine writes, citing the fact that seven percent of all undergraduates are foreign.

President of Euroforum and the Center for International Affairs Student Council Henrietta O. Shields '95 says the increasing numbers of Eastern European students enrolled is one sign of greater internationalization.