The Harvard International Office (HIO) was established in 1944 to respond to the needs of a growing number of foreign students, resulting from the closing of universities in Europe and Asia. At the time there were 250 students from overseas. Within a decade that number had increased to 800. During the late 1940’s and early 1950’s legislation was passed that created the Fulbright Exchange Visitor Program, which over the years has sponsored thousands of foreign students and scholars to come to the U.S., as well as sending Americans abroad. The 1960’s ushered in the Kennedy era, and universities, including Harvard, took on a more outward focus.

By 1961 there were 1,015 foreign students and 502 foreign scholars at Harvard. The International Students Office changed its name at that time to reflect the significant numbers of foreign scholars coming to Harvard to teach and do research. Currently Harvard has a foreign student population of over 2,600 students and more than 2,000 foreign scholars. The number of foreign scholars is the largest of any university in the U.S.

The HIO is part of Central Administration and offers services to foreign students and scholars at Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and the ten graduate or professional schools, as well as the numerous research centers and affiliated teaching hospitals. It provides information on a wide range of topics, including visas (work permits, travel), financial questions, social and cultural differences, and personal concerns.

The HIO designs programs to help foreign students, scholars, and their families adjust to life in the U.S. and to minimize the difficulties they may experience both upon arrival and later during their stay. Students are given the opportunity to participate in Harvard’s friendship and hospitality program which connects them with Americans living in the Boston area. A large number of graduate students and scholars at Harvard are accompanied by family members. The HIO sponsors English classes and discussion groups for spouses, as well as advice on schools for children.

Since its inception, the HIO has acted as a liaison between foreign students and scholars and the U.S. Government agencies which have jurisdiction over their stay here. Through the years, the Office has played an increasingly important role in advocacy with Government agencies and legislators on issues concerning foreign students and scholars.