Anticipated 2010 Field School Calendar

Academic Credit

       You can apply to the field school as a volunteer (non-credit, non-tuition) or as a student (6 or 9 undergraduate or graduate academic credits in anthropology through the University of Texas at Austin, billed at close to the in-state rate).  Students from the community college of Philadelphia can apply for 3 academic credits (and perhaps 6). Volunteers and students have the same responsibilities and learning experiences in the field.  The only difference is that volunteers do not get academic credit for their efforts, but both volunteers and students participate in field activities and get to list the field school as an experience on their curriculum vitaes (or resumes).  After successful completion of the field school, volunteers and students are able to request recommendations from field school staff in support of applications for graduate school and employment.

Anticipated Approximate Costs for 2010 

The expected approximate costs for the average volunteer participant from June 17 to July 14, 2010 are:

    $1925  basic fee for room, food, laundry services, in-country project transportation,
              field instruction, field equipment

     $400  anticipated misc. personal expenses for site visitations, snacks, possible
              overnight stay outside camp, etc.
                                                                                   

    $2,325  Anticipated Basic Costs

       This is a very reasonable figure for a state-of-the-art project such as this, particularly one that is focused on providing an intensive field education.  Despite the high staff:student ratio, which insures focused instruction, the staff strive to keep costs low and make the experience affordable for a great variety of students.  Many projects that offer similar experiences cost twice as much and in some instances, more.  Keep in mind that the above figures are estimates.  Costs may change slightly as field expenses for the coming year take shape, based on equipment needs, changing costs for gasoline, and the prices for other supplies.

       Many students get financial aid from their home institutions or from local organizations such as their church, temple, or mosque – or their community’s Kiwanis or Rotary Club educational fund.  If you are interested in financial aid from your college or university, you should contact your financial aid office early in the application process.  Dr. Walling will be happy to provide information regarding costs to any interested funding organization. 

Tuition and Other Costs.  Additional costs vary from person to person, depending on a variety of factors.  Among the costs not included in the above calculation is roundtrip airfare from the States to Belize City.  This varies according to airline and the place from which you will be flying.  It is usually about $600 from New York.  Tuition at the University of Texas -- for those who want academic credit (6 credits or 9 credits) --  is a voluntary matter.  About half the participants choose not to take the field school for credit.  Note that in recent years, through special arrangement with the University of Texas, students in the Rio Bravo Project received 9 academic credits for $2500, which is the equivalent of the in-state rate charged to Texas residents.  Although there is no guarantee that the same rate will apply in 2010, some discount for Rio Bravo Field School students is anticipated. Please contact the project director for more information on academic credit.

       The first six academic credits from the University of Texas are for the Archaeological Field Methods course.  If you choose the 9-credit option, the remaining credits will be for a supplemental class.  

       Other costs vary tremendously, depending on a variety of factors.  The fee you pay for inoculations varies according to your medical history, the inoculations you and your doctor select, and your medical insurance policy.  Field clothing and equipment (a back pack, field compass, field boots, hot weather clothing and similar items), and, for those who choose, post-field school travel, are additional costs.  To minimize costs, many staff and students choose to buy all-cotton and similar “breathable,” hot-climate-friendly field clothing from the Salvation Army and similar organizations.