Archaeology has been a dream of mine for years now. Being able to actually experience it hands-on taught me so much more than any classroom ever could. I was able to actually experience doing archaeology. I challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone time and time again, and found I love archaeology more now that I know more about it.

Through my experience, I learned that archaeology is a lot more than just studying old relics. It involves close personal connections, taxing physical labor, and a strong passion for the field to be a great archaeologist. Field archaeology requires the reliance of your coworkers, and as such, develops incredibly strong bonds between people.

Studying abroad presented a number of challenges and forced me to step out of my comfort zone and take bold risks. Studying in Belize was exactly the change I needed to expand my horizons and face my fears. I've always found myself tethered to my homeland, scared of the dangers and difficulties involved with travel. At the same time, travel has always fascinated me, drawing me in with the promises of new experiences and unforgettable memories. Study abroad proved to be the perfect bridge between my fears and my desires - it gave me the opportunity to travel, while also the assurance of my safety while doing so.

Stepping into another country felt like stepping into another world. Immediately, all the boring and mundane aspects of life were turned into an adventure. I'd get excited whenever I needed to go to the store because it was different. Everything was different and it was incredible fun and exciting.

My favorite memory from that program had been working in the rain. The walk to the site that day had been perilous, trekking through the swamps and jungle on soggy slippery boards as mosquitoes bombarded us from every side. I scratched at one of their bites, bent over my drawing, sketching the stratigraphy before me as Sarah, a graduate student from the University of London, calls out measurements. Each square represents ten centimeters, with each layer representing a new layer in the soil. It's tedious work, sure, but it's made faster but good company and interesting conversation. A drop lands on my hand. I glance up, the tattered blue tarp above me slowly dripping water. Sarah says another measurement and I draw another dot, angling my paper to avoid the drips. Another one hits my head, then my shoulders. It isn't long before the sky opens up, rain pouring from all sides. Everyone is in motion now, playing in the rain. The tarp above me is leaking pretty badly, so I set aside my work and join some other under a newer, and less tattered, one. But our break cannot last forever, for there is work to do, rain or not. I steady myself before joining the others, working together side by side.

Name: Deanna Peterson
Status: Sophomore
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Stanwood, Michigan
Program: Anthropological Fieldwork and Research of Ancient Maya in Belize