EXHIBIT 17(a)


                               FORM OF PROXY CARD

                      VAN KAMPEN INTERNATIONAL MAGNUM FUND

                        SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

              PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


    The undersigned holder of shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share
(the "Shares"), of VAN KAMPEN INTERNATIONAL MAGNUM FUND, hereby appoints John L.
Sullivan, Elizabeth A. Nelson and Elisa Mitchell, and each of them, with full
power of substitution and revocation, as proxies to represent the undersigned at
the Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held at the offices of Van Kampen
Investments Inc., 1 Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181, on
November 17, 2004 at 3:30 p.m., and any and all adjournments thereof (the
"Special Meeting"), and thereat to vote all Shares which the undersigned would
be entitled to vote, with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally
present, in accordance with the following instructions.

    If more than one of the proxies, or their substitutes, are present at the
Special Meeting or any adjournment thereof, they jointly (or, if only one is
present and voting then that one) shall have authority and may exercise all
powers granted hereby. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in
accordance with the instructions marked hereon by the undersigned. IF NO
SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE PROPOSAL DESCRIBED
HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXIES UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY
PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                       
Account No.         No. of Shares            Class of Shares          Proxy No.

FOR       AGAINST     ABSTAIN    The proposal to approve the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization pursuant to
- ----      -------     -------    which Van Kampen International Magnum Fund would (i) transfer all of its assets and
- ----      -------     -------    liabilities to Van Kampen International Advantage Fund in exchange solely for Class A, B and C
                                 Shares of Van Kampen International Advantage Fund, (ii) distribute such Class A, B and C Shares
                                 to its shareholders and (iii) be dissolved.
</Table>

    The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the accompanying Notice of
Special Meeting and Prospectus/Proxy Statement for the Special Meeting to be
held on November 17, 2004 at 3:30 p.m. Please sign this Proxy exactly as your
name or names appear on the books of Van Kampen International Magnum Fund. When
signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, custodian, guardian or
corporate officer, please give full title. If shares are held jointly, each
holder should sign.



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Shareholder signature                        Date



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Co-owner signature (if applicable)           Date