“2013 was a field season that will forever change the way each Fellow views Fijian culture and its uniqueness within the world.”

Jerred Schafer, 2013 Fellow

“2013 was a field season that will forever change the way each Fellow views Fijian culture and its uniqueness within the world.” Jerred Schafer

“To me, archaeology represents the coming together of disciplines, soiled hands and feet, exploration, discovery, and culture.” Kendra Hein, 2014 Fellow

“You get to uncover Fiji’s history and meet its wonderful, diverse people.” Christel Carlisle

“Every participant had ups and downs in learning the true nature of archaeological fieldwork as reflected by the worn and tired Fellows in one photograph followed by smiles and laughter in the next.” Jerred Schafer

“At the end of the day you cover your unit, hike back to camp, clean and sharpen tools, gather fire wood, help with laundry, bathe in the ocean or with rain water, catch up on field notes, help cook, and wash dishes in the ocean.” Christel Carlisle

“Each student came from varied academic backgrounds and research interests and all came back home from the 2013 field season with a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Learning the Fijian culture both past and present.” Jerred Schafer

“You eat fresh and unique foods, watch the ebb and flow of the ocean, see the sun rise and set on the other side of the world. ” Christel Carlisle

“The sheer beauty of the Fijian landscape almost hides the truth about every Fellow in the photographs; all were usually wet, constantly battling with biting insects, watching the gear rot away, and always somewhat filthy. ” Jerred Schafer

“The journey to Fiji was a long process that consisted of long flights, ferries, buses, and all of that followed by more boat rides.” Alea Rouse, 2013 Fellow, describes the commute from Birmingham AL to the site

“The participants of the 2013 REU fellows consisted of nine undergraduate students, one graduate field assistant, one documentary filmmaker, one photographer/scientific correspondent, one Fiji Museum officer, one field assistant/local informant, and of course the project principal investigator,” Jerred Schafer

“After field work every day we would walk back to camp and begin the various tasks of maintaining camp that included: pumping fresh rain water, gathering firewood, and preparing meals.” Alea Rouse

“Yet, through all of these obstacles every Fellow persevered with determination to overcome struggles and complete a successful archaeological field season. ” Jerred Schafer

“Breakfast is oatmeal, as it was the day before, but there is fresh papaya and tons of it,” Christel Carlisle

“When you work alongside your fellow students and with the local Fijians, you realize just how important you and everyone around you are,” Christel Carlisle

“The participants of the 2013 REU fellows consisted of nine undergraduate students, one graduate field assistant, one documentary filmmaker, one photographer/scientific correspondent, one Fiji Museum officer, one field assistant/local informant, and of course the project principal investigator.

The sheer beauty of the Fijian landscape almost hides the truth about every Fellow in the photographs; all were usually wet, constantly battling with biting insects, watching the gear rot away, and always somewhat filthy.

Yet, through all of these obstacles every Fellow persevered with determination to overcome struggles and complete a successful archaeological field season.

2013 was a field season that will forever change the way each Fellow views Fijian culture and its uniqueness within the world.

Every participant had ups and downs in learning the true nature of archaeological fieldwork as reflected by the worn and tired Fellows in one photograph followed by smiles and laughter in the next.

Each student came from varied academic backgrounds and research interests and all came back home from the 2013 field season with a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Learning the Fijian culture both past and present.”

Jerred Schafer. 2013 NSF-REU Fiji Fellow.