Harvard (finally) gets a passport

Harvard University has decided to reevaluate its position on the study abroad question. Realizing the apparent antipathy towards the U.S. in many foreign countries, Harvard has decided to require all its students to have a “significant” overseas experience.  The university believes that it has a responsibility to promote international understanding.

The change comes too late for alum George Reyes, who in his junior year at Harvard tried to go abroad but was unable to because of institutional barriers.  Harvard’s disconnect with higher educations swing to study-abroad programs is was rooted in a tradition that believes: “if you are already at the best in the world, why go anywhere else?”

The new requirement of a “significant” overseas experience may be fulfilled by work, research or study in a foreign country.  Harvard hopes that the changes to its curriculum will provoke some debate among higher education institutions on what it means to be “educated.”  (NS, 7/05)

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