This study experience will involve physical efforts in hot conditions.  Each student should consider their own physical fitness as well as their tolerance to extreme heat and non-standard accommodation.  Additionally, students may need to get vaccinations and medications prior to departure.  It is each student’s responsibility to ensure their routine vaccinations are up-to-date and to inquire whether there are recommended and/or required vaccinations or medications for the country/countries their will visit (including any countries their will visit which are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary).  To find comprehensive information regarding international travel, including recommended or required vaccinations and medications, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website and the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.  We recommend students visit a healthcare provider and acquire any necessary vaccinations and medications at least two (2) months prior to departure. Goddard Health Center (on the OU campus) is a good place for students to acquire the appropriate vaccinations and medications.

Food

Breakfast basics, packed lunches (Monday through Friday), and dinner (Sunday through Friday) with be provided.  Students are responsible for their own food on the weekends. Restaurants and markets are present in Ficulle and available on any weekend fieldtrips.

Lodging

Students will stay in the small and lovely medieval town of Ficulle. Four-person, two-bedroom (twin bed) apartments will be shared.  Weekly cleaning (sheets and towels included).

Transportation

Travel from Rome–Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) to Ficulle, Umbria at the beginning of the project is provided, as is travel from Ficulle to FCO at the end of the project.

Travel to and from site each day is provided.

Local travel for select project field trips is provided.

Working Hours and Conditions

Monday through Friday, hours TBD

Students are expected to participate fully in field activities, barring illness or other reported excuses.

Working on an archaeological site is a physically intense, extraordinarily dirty, and sometimes tedious experience. You’ll need to tolerate high temperatures and hours of kneeling and squatting, as well as being expected to pay precise and careful attention and work well and cheerfully with a small team of people.  Fieldwork is fun, but please understand: it is definitely hard work.

Project Fieldtrips

Group fieldtrips to local towns such as Orvieto and sites (San Casciano dei Bagni, recently in the news) will be organized.  If possible, a visit to OU in Arezzo will also be planned.  Local initiatives and industries in and near Ficulle, such as pottery workshops, will also be visited.

Independent Student Opportunities

Students may undertake independent travel over the weekends but must notify senior staff if they plan to do so.  Participation in a WhatsApp group chat is required for all team members to ensure ready contact at all times.

Packing List

A list of items students will need to bring will be provided. Some items to consider include:

  • Work clothes that you don’t mind getting very dirty, torn, or ruined
  • Dust mask or bandanna (the site can get very dusty, so you may definitely want this if dust bothers you)
  • Clothes to wear while you are not working
  • Hat
  • Sturdy, comfortable, boots suitable for working in all day
  • Work gloves
  • Water bottle (you can purchase a 1.5 liter water bottle in Ficulle for very little money)
  • Jacket or sweatshirt for the mornings and evenings
  • Small bag for carrying your notebook and water to the site daily
  • Any special soaps or toiletries
  • Sunscreen (you can also get this in Italy, but it is expensive)
  • Any prescription or over-the-counter medications
  • Passport – if you don’t have one yet, apply for it as soon as possible!
  • Camera
  • U.S. to Southern Europe electrical adapter
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • International calling/data plan on your phone, etc.
  • Internationally valid bank or credit card

Remember, anything you bring to the site will get extremely dirty!  Don’t bring anything to the site if you are worried about losing it, breaking it, or ruining it.