Since I was a child, I have always been interested in Middle Eastern, North African, and Western European Archaeology. Medieval Knights, Ancient Egyptians, Greece and Rome were stories of which I could never get enough. The idea of one day going overseas and working seemed full of promise, but also so far away.

When I entered graduate school at the University of Arkansas for Bioarchaeology (human remains in archaeology), I had already had a long undergraduate career. I had problems focusing since I loved so many subjects, all of which are related to culture-- language, history, literature, etc. One reason I had chosen bioarchaeology is that I realized although I love archaeology, I was always more interested in the people themselves. University of Arkansas offers a field school in bioarchaeology in Jordan. I was determined to go.

I knew University of Arkansas had this long-term partnership with Yarmouk University for around a decade, and there had been no safety concerns before, and I was relatively unconcerned about safety. After we had arrived we realized that there were other Americans living on campus too, studying for a Virginia Language exchange program. We were not just by ourselves.

After the initial week, I relaxed. I realized you can walk around in more safety in Irbed than you can in most places in the United States. You had no fears about having your purse stolen, or being accosted by someone. As long as you make an effort to follow their social norms, you will be received with open arms. This effort is as small as not wearing short skirts, and staying away from cap-sleeved shirts for females, and for males to not wear shorts or tank tops. You will be easily identified as a foreigner by your mannerisms, dress, and behavior. There is little "blending in" but this is not a problem. It is kind of fun, because you will get many invitations and many interesting conversations out of being "different."

The first year I went, I made many new friends amongst my students (Yarmouk University undergraduates) and the Jordanian staff. Some of these freindships will hopefully, last a lifetime. We excavated at a site, Ya'amun, which spanned from the Bronze Age to the Early Byzantine Period (for tombs, and finally ending in the Islamic Period. Although I was initially scared to be a supervisor of students with whom I barely shared a language or culture, and workers with whom I shared almost nothing, in a few days I got over my fears. By the end, we were good friends.

I went again the following year as a teaching assistant. My experience was just as good as the first time, and I can say I would return as many times as I am allowed.

I am glad I got to experience a piece of the Middle East. I realized the Jordanian peoples are friendly, and very non-judgmental towards those who make even the smallest of efforts. They have a genuine interest in their guests and those they meet. You realize when you have made a friend, that you really are "welcome" in their home at any time. You have made a friend for life.

Here are some pictures from my time in Jordan.

A donkey at Petra:



The Petra Treasury:



A relief in the siq at Petra:



Abila of the Decapolis:



Temple of Artemis at Jerash:



Columns at Jerash:



Sea of Galilee:



Capers:



View from excavation:



Graduation Party:





Interested in studying in Jordan?
Find out MORE about the country
Find study abroad PROGRAMS in Jordan
Find study abroad SCHOLARSHIPS in Jordan