While in Mexico I worked on my first professional lab analysis project. I worked with two professors, both respected archaeologists with decades of experience and volumes of published research. Working with both professors was a great experience. Dr. Anne Cyphers is a faculty member at the Mexican National University and the other professor, Dr. Ken Hirth is a Penn State faculty member. I would like to thank both of them for the opportunity to work with them. The experience was very rewarding.
When I left for Mexico I knew exactly what I would be doing in the lab. I knew what the research entailed and what the objectives were. What surprised me was how much I enjoyed living in Mexico. While in Mexico I lived in a dorm at the lab I worked in. Despite the language and cultural barriers I made fast friends with the other analysts who were part of the project. Valentina, Juan, and Estaban became not only great friends, but they also humbled me with their hospitality. Becoming accustomed to the culture was a challenge but I had a great time during the process and was lucky to have such patient teachers.
As any traveler can tell you, or an anthropologist for that matter, stepping into an unfamiliar culture is both exciting and frustrating. While I was in Mexico I would frequently tell my hosts “todos es nuevo”. Everything is new. The customs, lifestyle, language all of it was a brand new experience. Living in a different country really shows the truth in the clich� saying: “there is a new life down every road.” I would recommend all liberal arts majors to think about studying abroad if they have the chance, not only for the new experience, but also to gain a different perspective on their life and culture.
Beyond being in a completely different culture I was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with a Mexican family. Working and living with other analysts provided an experience that cannot easily be duplicated. As an anthropology student, this living arrangement was perfect. I was totally immersed in a different culture, living the life of a local. In general, I was lucky as a traveler to find such wonderful people to help me.