YGZ gave me the opportunity to see where archaeological data comes from, and to participate in the process of critical-thinking that leads to discovering our shared history. In addition to giving lectures, our instructors patiently taught us proper field techniques, from taking elevations every day to making technical drawings of features. The field school helped me understand that, beyond its excitement and adventure, archaeology really is a slow, methodical process of exploration. And it’s fascinating! I loved how YGZ brought the Neolithic Era to life.
The program also taught me the importance of using a clear and consistent scientific method. We were told to always describe before we interpret. Although this rule may seem obvious, I don’t think I fully understood the importance of this concept before YGZ, when a hasty interpretation could have serious consequences to future research.
As a student of the Chinese language, the field school also presented a great opportunity for cultural immersion and language practice. I loved working with a team of international students and professors–it really showed me how archaeologists collaborate across international borders.
YGZ has been indispensable to me when considering a career in archaeology and cultural heritage. It exposed me to the variety of disciplines within archaeology, especially geoarchaeology, ceramics, paleoethnobotany, and bioarchaeology. Now that I’m in my third year of undergraduate study, I’m seriously considering post-graduate options (such as graduate school or work in cultural resources management). My experiences in YGZ have helped a great deal in discerning what I may do in the future.

The Yangguanzhai field school was a fantastic learning opportunity for my academic and professional goals in archaeology as well as a personally enlightening experience. We got to work with archaeologists trained in Western excavation techniques, which will be immensely helpful in the pursuit of advanced degrees as well as jobs. At the same time we were allowed to work alongside Chinese archaeologists who are trained in uniquely Chinese techniques, allowing for a broadening of our ideas about the variety of ways that archaeology can be conducted and the variation across cultures and nations. These various techniques included everything from survey and excavation to lab methods, such as flotation and the cataloguing of pottery sherds.
The instructors at this field school were also hugely helpful. They were always open and willing to answer our many questions about archaeology, graduate school, and job opportunities. They organized many different trips to museums and lectures to make sure we understood, as much as possible in such a short period of time, the historical context and culture of China at large and the site at Yangguanzhai. This field school was one of the best experiences of my life. It affected me profoundly as a person and allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for archaeology.