{"id":2480,"date":"2019-08-11T13:06:43","date_gmt":"2019-08-11T18:06:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/antiochia2014\/?p=2480"},"modified":"2019-08-11T13:06:43","modified_gmt":"2019-08-11T18:06:43","slug":"sometimes-you-should-just-jump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pages.stolaf.edu\/antiochia2014\/2019\/08\/11\/sometimes-you-should-just-jump\/","title":{"rendered":"Sometimes You Should Just Jump"},"content":{"rendered":"

To those considering an archaeological internship in Turkey, here are some things you should know. <\/span><\/p>\n

I never thought I\u2019d actually do something like this, and I\u2019m so happy I did. It was an amazing experience. It got me out of my comfort zone and hopefully into my future career. So, know that you\u2019re likely going to get hooked. Even if you never do archaeology again, you\u2019ll still be connected to the site and to the people. This experience will stay with you for a long, long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

The entire trip is constant information overload. You\u2019re constantly learning new information about the site, about the surrounding areas and about your peers. Most importantly, you\u2019re learning about yourself. These past few weeks confirmed that I want to continue working as an archaeologist, as well as explore other related fields. I have better defined my career goals and now have several ideas of how to achieve them. I also learned how much I love rocks and bones, as many of the other interns could tell you. <\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned that I can climb rocks, and jump off them into the cove below, and that it\u2019s super fun. And sometimes, climbing mountains isn\u2019t so fun while going up or down, but the view from the top is spectacular and worth every step. On another note, I learned that I can dig a really deep hole. And then proceed to get super attached to said hole. That\u2019s another thing you should know\u2014you will get attached to your area. You will think about it, you will see walls and pottery when you close your eyes. If you\u2019re lucky, you\u2019ll even dream of it. You\u2019ll be interested in your friends\u2019 units and curious about all that goes on, trying to piece together the puzzle of the past. Take advantage of all the history that\u2019s around you, because before long it might not be there anymore. <\/span><\/p>\n

This project will take a lot out of you, but it will give you so much more. The people you meet here are unforgettable, and at least in my case, you will be friends for years to come. You\u2019ll come away with stories you never thought you\u2019d tell, with a newfound sense of self confidence and independence, as well as a lot of knowledge about what it means to be an archaeologist. I was always in awe of what I was doing. From examining the pottery I found, to seeing the walls slowly get uncovered, and especially understanding the importance of the work I was doing (even if it meant I got covered in dirt from head to toe). For me, that is one of the most unbelievable aspects of this internship\u2014that we get to experience the history first hand and right in our faces. The last person who saw that pottery sherd was alive over a thousand years ago. Nothing is quite like the feeling of history being alive right before your eyes. Half of the time I was exhausted and the other half tired, but the entire time I was excited and ready to keep going. <\/span><\/p>\n

I jumped off a rock at the cove and into the water below, and I loved it. I jumped into an archaeological internship in Turkey, and I loved it even more. Sometimes you just have to jump, even if it scares you. I\u2019m so grateful for the amazing opportunity to work here, to learn so much and to grow far beyond where I thought I could. I really hope that if you come to Turkey, you have as wonderful experience as I did. So take the jump, maybe into a pit, maybe off a cliff into a cove, or maybe just to Turkey. Whatever your jump is, make it a good one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some other general advice:<\/span><\/p>\n