There are many different aspects of my experience working on an archaeological dig that I would bring up in a job interview, a few of them being the work ethic, culture, critical thinking, and leadership I have developed over this time. There is a lot of physical labor put into archaeology, and my time in Turkey has furthered my drive and commitment to my work. During my time, I have taken on a site where I am doing the work to complete it. I am very attached to my site and want to do my best work to tell its stories and show what it once was as well as I possibly can.
The culture here in Turkey is something that is very different than anything I’ve ever experienced before. Because I have lived alongside Turkish students and in another country for a month, I have gained a wider perspective of the world and people in it. The culture here is very different than in the US, so I have had to adapt and learn the social norms of this country. After being here, I can interact with people who are different than myself more easily, have a more open mind when going into new environments, and be able to adapt to a new way of living and thinking.
While working on the site, I always have to be thinking about what I am doing and what I might be digging up. Being an archaeologist requires one to work on their critical thinking skills and put them to use every day. I need to always be making hypothesis about my site, and I have learned how to be wrong as well.
My leadership skills have also been drawn out as I have spent my time in Turkey. On the site we work pretty independently, which has made me more sure of myself being an archaeologist. I have gotten to be in charge of a site with a partner and be free to make decisions and have ideas of our own. Going to a new country has also brought out my leadership abilities by getting me out of my comfort zone and forcing me to adapt and make decisions in a new environment.
Overall, my time in Turkey has truly taught me some very valuable things that I hope will stay with me for the rest of my life.