I’m not exaggerating when I say that my time spent in Turkey has been the most exciting, demanding, and entertaining experience of my life, bar none. I came into this trip wanting to widen my perspective on history careers and better understand how I could use my degree in the future. Surprisingly, I discovered more about how I want to devote my skills to a career, but it might not include archaeology. That’s a testament to how important a trip like this can be to a student. While I might not ever participate in a dig again, there are so many other takeaways from this trip that make it incredibly worthwhile. The friendship that I have found among my peers is so unique and special, and the realizations about my own values, worth, and character are incomparable. In the future, I want to be a museum exhibit curator, combining my love for history and my creativity. Being in the field has given me an understanding of how places are excavated and the importance of good archaeological practices and conservation which can undoubtedly aid a museum career. Also, the truths about how I work with others or independently are useful in any capacity.
My most memorable experience here outside of the dig is going to the beach at night with my friends and looking at the stars. We first did this the first night we spent here and have since done it every weekend. It meant so much to me to be able to simply enjoy being in a moment with friends in a new and exciting place. We’re likely never going to be in that moment ever again which is something that we all realized and thus made the time we did have together special. In the field there wasn’t one singular moment that was most memorable to me but participating (and dare I say succeeding) in a physically demanding task gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
The most valuable thing I’ve learned here is how important excavating and studying domestic buildings can be. Oftentimes, history is made more palatable or interesting to the public by presenting the more grand or familiar artifacts and sites.
To those who participate in the future, be prepared to be challenged mentally and physically. You’ll have to push yourself hard everyday to lift big rocks, buckets, and wheelbarrows. I would highly suggest training beforehand (mainly stamina). The mental challenge is your responsibility. I didn’t know anything about Turkish living, classics, or architecture before this trip yet some of my peers knew a lot. Be prepared to be flexible, understanding, and hardworking. There is a happy medium to strive for between meticulousness and efficiency. Time must be well spent and well planned with your peers. Outside of the field, I highly recommend exploring Gazipasa because you may never get to experience it again. The best times of my life were spent here with the friends I made and I’ll miss spending my days with them hauling ass and joking around. Pack wisely, strive for greatness, make friends, and don’t take your experiences for granted. Kolay gelsin.