"Harvard didn't notice when I left and it certainly didn't notice when I came back," he says.

Support Network

There are other problems, besides getting credit, which returning students often face. They say they often do not have opportunities to express what they have learned and feel left out of student life.

"I was out of sync with my class. I didn't have any tutors or support," says Leslie R. Crutchfield '90-91, who spent a year doing public service work in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

In response to such concerns, Crutchfield, Breyer and Heather R. McCloud '90-91 are organizing a support network for students returning from time away. They are planning a journal, an art exhibit and a support group.

"It is really important when people return from time off that they have a forum to express what they did," says Crutchfield.

"Taking time off shouldn't be the sort of thing that puts you in the fringe at this University," says Breyer.

Initially, the journal would feature student writings about experiences abroad. Later the organizers hope to include articles from leaves-of-absence spent in the U.S. as well.

The Triptych Gallery exhibit, titled "Our Planet," will be broader in focus, including the paintings, photographs and drawings of students who have done work while away from Harvard.

"I would really like to see people thinking about other people and other places, and art is a good way to do that," says John T. Goldstone '91, who organizes the student-run Triptych.

The planned show "is targetted towards people who have spent time abroad, people who have travelled maybe just for two days maybe in the U.S.--basically for anyone," he says.

Organizers say the last of the group's plans is a support group. The organizers want to ascertain that there is sufficient interest in the community the "informal" group to be meaningful says Breyer.

"It's very hard to get into the Harvard scene and it's helpful to have people to speak to," says Crutchfield.