The University of North Georgia’s (UNG) had 16 students participating in two study away programs, which are faculty-led domestic study options outside of UNG. 

Eight students participated in the UNG Archeological Field School with Anthropology assistant professor Kendy Altizer. 

"This field school provides hands-on, real-world experience in archaeology and all of the components necessary to interpret what we find in the field," Altizer said. "Because it is part of a larger research project, students get to learn from other researchers working in tandem with the archaeological aspect, such as architectural historians, ethnographers and historians. Students contribute to this body of work and learn from leading scholars." 

Altizer and her students went to the Santee Delta, an hour north of Charleston, South Carolina. Their exploration allowed students to shovel test between the rivers, excavate on a former rice plantation, document oral history, and have hands-on experience in archaeological and ethnographic field methods as part of a larger multidisciplinary project, the " Santee Delta Project."

While intended for students interested in archeological careers, the five-week program had students from various backgrounds, including Conner Short, who is pursuing a degree in history and an minor in anthropology.  

Short, an Athens, Georgia, native, shared that from May 7 to June 6, he and his peers were able to work directly with artifacts and gain knowledge about the region.  

"We focused on how archaeology gives us a way to tell the stories of those that were there long ago, and how material culture can tell us about aspects of the past," Short said. 

As a summer 2024 graduate, Short shared he’d like to continue working with artifacts since graduating and plans to continue working at the T.R.R. Cobb House Museum in his hometown. He says he’s inspired by his professors like Dr. Altizer, who "pushed me to take the opportunity of the Field School." 

Cara Cooper, who is also pursuing a degree in history, shared she stumbled into the opportunity. Originally from Suwanee, Georgia, Cooper was in an anthropology class when she just so happened to learn about the program. 

"I was taking Intro to Anthropology with Professor Robin O'Day when he was talking about a field study that would be happening during the Maymester," Cooper said. "It sounded very appealing, so I applied. By attending the field school, I have gained valuable knowledge and work experience that I can use in the future when trying to look for companies to work for."

Eight UNG students participated in the Ag-Xperience with faculty members Dr. Jill Schulze and Dr. Linda Purvis.

Purvis and Schulze took their students to Iowa Falls, Iowa, for seven days, for an experience Purvis says couldn’t take place in Georgia.

"Students were immersed in agriculture that is not found in our state of Georgia. They learned about how large row crops are grown and how they directly impact our agriculture in Georgia," Purvis said. 

During the program, students lived on campus in dorms at the partner institution, Ellsworth Community College. Students learned about crop production on a large scale, automation and innovation in technology to grow these crops. Students also got to tour a swine production facility, turkey facility, feed mill, bioethanol plant, co-ops and large scale farms.

Albany Zavarce, a junior pursuing a degree in environmental spatial analysis, found the experience to be eye-opening.

"I never thought that growing corn and soybean required so much planification and machinery. It was amazing to learn from people who farm and lived there as well as students who love what they do," Zavarce said. 

UNG senior Alyssa Foster, who is set to graduate this December, also traveled to Iowa for the program and is pursuing a degree in agriculture science. Foster, whose love of the subject and the program launched her to get matching chicken tattoos with two of her classmates, found this experience useful for her future career teaching agriculture.

"The Ag-Xperience trip to Iowa was amazing. From the industrial side to getting our hands dirty in the soil, we were able to get a hands-on experience with agriculture in Iowa," the Pendergrass, Georgia, native said. "It’s something you don't get to see every day in Georgia, and there was something for everyone, even if you are not an agriculture major."