Achill Archaeological Field School

WHO?

My name is Jamie and I am a student at University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL), my major is Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology. Being an archaeologist was a childhood dream that I put aside when I entered a life of addiction. I spent ten years in active addiction and when I was 27 I found Narcotics Anonymous and turned my life around. I have now been clean for over eight and a half years and although I have finished off all of my general education classes over the last fifteen years, I have never completed a degree. Not until I began classes at UMSL this semester did my dreams awaken of being an archaeologist again. I am a mother of four and a wife, a part-time employee, a student, a recovering addict and some day I will be an Archaeologist. 

WHY?

With your help I will be able to travel to Ireland and participate in a 4-week program in which I will spend my days at an excavation site learning the start to finish process of excavating artifacts. I will take weekly field trips to different sites already excavated throughout the island. A 1500 word essay will be required and a portfolio of the work that I have done throughout my stay will be due before the end of the program. When completed I will have earned six credit hours toward my degree that will transfer back to UMSL.

WHEN & WHERE?

The four week course that I have applied and been approved for runs from July 1, 2013 through July 27, 2013. The school, Achill Archaeological Field School, is located on Achill Island, which is located at the western most point of Ireland.

HOW?

There are few different ways that I am going to achieve this. The first thing is using UMSL’s study abroad office and our financial aid office to utilize student loans and scholarships. I am also applying for numerous scholarships through different avenues I am finding online and through the school. I need to raise a minimum of $7,000 between all of my efforts. This will cover the cost of tuition, my airfare, my food, my clothing supplies, and any other expenses that might come up.