The month I spent in Belize was one of the best parts of my college experience so far. I got to meet so many new people in my major and share the past research we have done and what we hope to do in the future.

Participating in a real archaeological excavation was also an invaluable experience for me. I was able to learn so much from various specialists in different aspects of archaeology that I would not have been able to just on campus.

The majority of my program was a hands-on archaeology field school where we worked each day to excavate an ancient Maya site. We learned not only how to properly excavate artifacts but also how to ensure their preservation after excavation and document every step of the process. In addition, we had the opportunity to visit another, much larger Maya site on the Belize mainland and hear it’s history. We climbed to the top of the second tallest man-made structure in Belize and looked out over the incredible site and the jungle beyond. Later that day we went cave tubing and dove into cool water so clear you could see the smooth multicolored rocks on the bottom.

I was expecting to be staying in something like a bunkhouse, with many people in one room. Instead, we each stayed in beachside cabanas with one roommate, very similar to dorm life. My roommate was one of the Belizean students in our group, which meant I got to hear a lot more about the country than other students. However, we all learned about the history of Belize and of indigenous people in the country.

This field school is a very unique and valuable experience for anyone interested in anthropology. Not only do you learn about archaeology in general, but you also meet people from the field and gain a better understanding of what all goes into an archaeology excavation and the opportunities that exist for research or careers of your own. Many students from the program, including myself, are now writing research papers that will contribute to a write up of the entire excavation. The connections you make while abroad and the opportunities that opens up for you later in college is just as valuable as the experience itself. I highly recommend completing a study abroad program early in college for this reason.

Name: Elizabeth Longcore
Status: Sophomore
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Portage, Michigan
Program: Anthropological Fieldwork and Research of Ancient Maya