Prerequisites
This program requires participants to have Open Water Diver Certification (any world-wide recognized training organization) and DAN diving insurance (http://www.daneurope.org/insurance) and to complete a Medical Approval Form prior to the beginning of the field school.
Overview
Make your summer an adventure unlike any other by taking a deep dive into history and contributing to the preservation of Bulgaria’s maritime heritage. Nestled on a picturesque peninsula, Nessebar boasts a rich history dating back thousands of years, with traces of its past visible both above and below the water’s surface. This field school offers the opportunity to explore the depths of the Black Sea, mapping the ancient city of Mesambria, while actively engaging with the local community to preserve their cultural heritage. You’ll play a vital role in initiatives such as establishing an underwater museum of archaeology, collaborating with locals, diving centers, tourists, and archaeologists alike to showcase the submerged heritage and landscapes of Nessebar.
Field school highlights:
- Contribute to our understanding of coastal landscape changes & human adaptation strategies to sea level fluctuations.
- Develop professional skills in underwater archaeology, including reconnaissance surveys, excavations, mapping, photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and more.
- Experience the charm of Nessebar & the beauty of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast.
| Course Details | |
|---|---|
| Course Dates | May 24 – June 14, 2025 |
| Course Type | Underwater Archaeology, Classical, Byzantine |
| Instructors | Dr. Nayden Prahov |
| Credits* | 6 semester (9 quarter) |
| Apply By | February 1 |
| Fees Due By | April 15 |
| Program Fees | (2025) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $4,770 |
| Transcript Fee* | $300 |
| Health & Evacuation Insurance | $130 |
| Room & Partial Board | $1,650 |
| TOTAL: | $6,850 |
*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
Coming soon!
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 at the family hotel Emona Guest house in the Old Town Quarter of Nessebar. Rooms will have 2 or 3 beds with bathrooms with, TV, and air-conditioning. Cheap laundry service and free Wi-Fi is available. The distance from the hotel to the sites and the beach is approx. 200 / 400 m and it takes approx. 2 / 5 min to walk. Diving gear will be transported by a car.
Meals. Breakfasts on workdays as well as the welcome and the farewell dinners are covered by the tuition fee. Students are responsible for their daily lunch and dinners and all meals on days off.
Nessebar offers a variety of restaurants that can meet everyone’s preferences and dietary requirements – from fast food options to cozy gourmet restaurants. The average meal price (soup/salad, main dish and dessert) can cost between $10-$20. The project team will recommend restaurants for different preferences (cuisine, cost, dietary needs) and will arrange discounts for the students.
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 should expect to arrive at the Sofia Airport on May 24, 2025. A travel info-sheet with specific travel details will be available to students prior to departure.
Students are able to get general information, essential travel basics and tips concerning the project location and the country at http://www.bhfieldschool.org/countries/bulgaria (for Bulgaria) and https://www.bhfieldschool.org/program/underwater-archaeology-in-the-black-sea (for the project / see the map on the bottom of project web site).
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Citizens of EU, EEA, USA, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand do not need a visa to visit Bulgaria for up to 90 days. Citizens of all other countries may need a visa. The Balkan Heritage Foundation can send an official invitation letter that should be used at the relevant embassy to secure a visa to the program. For more information visit the Balkan Heritage Foundation web site at http://www.bhfieldschool.org/information/visa-help and the links provided there.
Citizens of other countries are asked to check the embassy website page at their home country for specific visa requirements.