Overview
Explore the myths, history, and culture of the infamous Transylvania region as you participate in this unique field school that spends equal time training you in field excavation and bioarchaeology. You’ll dig on the grounds of the 13th century fortified church of Sânpetru to learn more about the village’s long history as you develop excavation techniques. You’ll also get substantial experience in cleaning, identifying, and processing skeletal remains as you contribute to an ongoing project organizing bones previously excavated from a burial site that was employed for over five centuries as a resting place for wealthy residents of the city of Brasov. You’ll also get to connect with Romanian customs and traditions through excursions and weekends exploring the beautiful area.
Field school highlights:
- Gain practical hands-on experience that translates to any excavation site including digging techniques, sieving, surveying, and documentation.
- Learn to identify human bones and deduce aspects of their lives and communities such as sex, age, diet, class, and more.
- Connect with history, your surroundings, and the local community through excursions to UNESCO world heritage sites that are still used as venues for cultural, musical, and artistic events every summer.
| Course Details | |
|---|---|
| Course Dates | 2 sessions in 2025 S1: June 8 – July 5 S2: July 6 – Aug. 2 |
| Course Type | Bioarchaeology, Field Archaeology |
| Instructors | Dr. Annamaria Diana & Dr. Daniela Marcu Istrate |
| Credits* | 8 semester (12 quarter) |
| Apply By | February 1 |
| Fees Due By | April 15 |
| Program Fees | (2025) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,100 |
| Transcript Fee* | $300 |
| Health & Evacuation Insurance | $130 |
| Room & Board | $1,960 |
| TOTAL: | $6,490 |
*Please email admissions@ifrglobal.org for any application issues.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until program fills or final deadline passes.
Instructors
The directors welcome emails and inquiries about the research elements of this project. More general information (tuition, health insurance, and payment schedule) can be found under the ‘Students’ tab above. Any further questions may be addressed to IFR staff. Additional details about research, course schedule, travel, accommodation, and safety can be found on the syllabus. Contacting the directors or the IFR office is encouraged and appreciated. It may help you determine if this field school is a good fit for you.
Testimonials
This is a new IFR field school. No student testimonials are available at this time.
Payment & Student Fees
Application Fee: There is a $45 fee to submit an online application.
Deposit Payment: A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 3 weeks of program acceptance in order to secure your place. The remainder of your program fees are due by the deadline indicated under “Course Details”.
*Transcript Fee & Academic Credit Opt Out: If you wish to participate in an IFR field school without earning academic credits, you will not be charged a transcript fee.
For more information about payment, fees, and policies, please see details under our Payment & Finances and Withdrawal and Cancellation Policy pages.
Accommodations
Students will stay in a local guesthouse/hotel. Rooms are airy and spacious and all have en-suit bathrooms. They will be generally occupied by two, maximum three students depending on the number of applicants. The hotel is equipped with all essential amenities (Wi-Fi, kitchen, laundry facilities, communal areas) and offers ample outdoor spaces where the students will be able to relax, read, study, eat and socialize on hot summer evenings.
A professional cook will serve breakfast and dinner in the common dining room, while lunches will consist of sandwiches and field food prepared by students themselves from foods provided at the hotel each morning. Accommodations will be made for special dietary requirements and restrictions although some specific dietary restrictions such as kosher or halal meals may not be feasible. The directors will try, however, to accommodate all needs as much as possible.
Travel Info
Natural disasters, political changes, weather conditions and various other factors may force the cancellation or alteration of a field school. IFR recommends students only purchase airline tickets that are fully refundable and consider travel insurance in case a program or travel plans must change for any reason.
General information for this program is below, but keep in mind we will discuss any updated travel information and regulations during the required program orientation, which could affect travel plans.
Students are encouraged to fly into Bucharest Otopeni International airport. From there, they will have to reach the central station (Gara de Nord) where they will be able to catch a train to Braşov. Our meeting point is the train station in Braşov, where students will be picked up by bus to the host accommodation in the village of Prejmer. More detailed itineraries and options will be provided on orientation day and the directors will be available for help and clarification with each student on the days of traveling.
If you missed your connection or your flight is delayed, please call, text or email the field school director immediately. A local emergency mobile phone number will be provided to all enrolled students.