Unforgettable experience that was crucial to my archaeology education Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 06/22/2019 to 07/31/2019 with

Proyecto de Investigación Arqueológico Regional Ancash / PIARA: Hualcayán - Archaeological Field School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to conduct archaeology in the field, how to catalog artifacts, how to conduct photogrammetry, and learned so much about Andean prehistory.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I overall learned so much from this experience. It is not academically intense in the traditional sense, but the training is intense and rigorous and teaches so much.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administration runs very smoothly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was what you expect! Rudimentary living in an adobe style house. Exactly as promised on the syllabus.

* Food:

It was great given the circumstances! Chayla, a woman in the village cooked dinner with the help of some students. It was delicious and nutritious.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

If you so chose, there was so much opportunity to interact with the local culture. The kids were always there to play with and interact with.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

At no fault of the program, healthcare is difficult to comment on because it was in a very rural village. The preparations given by the program were incredibly helpful.

* Safety:

So safe! No concerns at all.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I learned so much about archaeology and Andean prehistory. The experienec really was what you made of it so the amount of effort you put in was reflective of what you would gain from the experience.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Very easy, there's no cost associated with the weeks in the village unless you want extras like chocolate. The time in Lima was not very expensive either.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring snacks from Lima!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

It's not a conventional foreign language component but you are encouraged to frequently use the language with people living in the village

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Introduction to Spanish

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The directors
  • The fieldwork
  • The flexibility
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Work hard and you will get a lot out of it!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'