The downside of these benefits, however, wasdifficult academic transition upon returning toHarvard.

"Studying for tests, doing reading and going toclass was difficult to adjust to," Edwards says."Before I was used to just doing my work and notstressing it. Now it's a more."

Trent, a sociology concentrator, noted that,while he might have liked to stay in Amsterdam fora full year, the demands of his concentration madethat impossible. At the same time, however, Trent,was quick to add that his department was verysupportive of his program of study and granted himthree concentration credits for his time abroad.

Those students who used their Advanced Standingstatus as a means to go abroad, instead ofpetitioning for credit, felt that it relieved muchof the pressure of staying on track in theiracademic careers.

"It seems unusual that more students don't [useAdvanced Standing this way]," says Schmitz,"because it has been really nice to be able to beabroad without worrying about credits. It hasgiven me the leisure to travel and miss a fewclasses without feeling guilty about it."

Mission Impossible?

Beyond concerns about fulfilling academicrequirements, many students, it seems, feel thatapplying for credit through OCS means entering atunnel of horrors from which few emerge unscathed.While many students lambast the University'slarger commitment to sending students abroad, mostwere generous in their praise for the staff atOCS.

Particular praise was reserved for Jane Pavese,associate director of OCS for study abroad.

"Jane Pavese is the answer to my dreams,"Mandelbaum says. "I said, `I want to go to Cuba,'and she looked at me and she helped."

Those who were critical of the University'sattitude toward study abroad tended to citebroad-based, systemic problems.

"A lot of people just aren't aware of theopportunities to [study abroad] and get credit,"Lerch says. "I might be just because Harvarddoesn't have specific programs themselves, sopeople don't realize that they have theopportunity to get credit from other colleges."

A particularly sore spot for Casillas was theUniversity's attitude toward students that need tostart their time abroad before the end ofHarvard's exam period.

"I had to take two exams with a seven hourjetlag, after moving in with a family that didn'tunderstand why I spent my first two days in theirhome locked up in a room studying," he writes."This requirement perfectly captures thediscouraging stance that Harvard takes towardsstudying abroad."

Despite bureaucratic hoops both real andimagined, the majority of students interviewedproudly defended their decision. They say theybenefited from an education that was as much aboutchanges in attitude as changes in latitude.

"If Amsterdam taught me anything," Trent says,"It taught me to chill out."

And most of those still abroad, envision asweet return.

"I bet [my return] will be like that scenewhere George Bailey comes back to his family andhis friends give him money," Cowherd says. "Exceptmy friends won't give me money.