Internship & Other Summer Opportunities

Wellesley students often continue their studies through summer programs focused on intensive language learning, archaeological fieldwork, or professional internships. We encourage students to supplement their on campus learning with these targeted opportunities to pursue their own particular interests. 
 
Intensive Language
 
Our students have had great success beginning their study of Latin and Greek through intensive summer programs that condense the material covered in two or three semesters of elementary language learning. The Greek Workshop and Latin Workshop at the University of California, Berkeley are among the most established programs in the US. The City University of New York Latin/Greek Institute offers total-immersion programs that are team-taught by experienced instructors, and has partial scholarships available. WIth our current need for distance learning, this year students are exploring online courses offered by the Erasmus Academy.
 
Fieldwork
 
For fieldwork experiences, it’s best for students to discuss potential projects with Professor Burns, who can help assess projects in relation to their individual interests: how much they want to excavate or learn about analytical techniques, focus on a specific cultural or chrolonlogical period, live and work in a particular location. A variety of programs for students to participate in archaeological projects — either to earn college credit or work as volunteers — are listed with the Archaeological Institute of America
 
Each year three or four Wellesley students participate in the excavation and study of finds at Ancient Eleon in central Greece. Some years, Wellesley offers a summer course in Digital Archaeology based at Eleon, where students learn to create 3D models through digital scanning and drone photography. Wellesley students have also had good experiences at the Trasimeno Field School and the Apolline Project in Italy.
 
Internships
 
We encourage students to seek out other internship opportunities at museums with significant holdings of ancient art (such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Getty Villa) or other research centers where they might develop their own particular interests (i.e. government entities, foundations, etc.). One leading institution for literary and historical studies is the Center for Hellenic Studies, which offers a Summer Internship Program employs undergraduate students at their campus in Washington, DC. Other intership opportunites include the Smithsonian, the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration. Classical Studies majors have also connected to internship opportunities through participation in the College's Albright Instititute fellowship program.
 

 

Examples of Previous Summer Study Opportunities

 

Ongoing Research in Greece

Excavating Ancient Eleon
 

Project Overview 
This project investigates a settlement site in the central Greek region of Boeotia, dating primarily to the Mycenaean (ca. 1700-1100 BCE) and Classical (600-400 BCE) periods. Eleon operated within the orbit of the major Greek city of Thebes, but on-going excavations reveal the diverse connections and resilient efforts of this early Greek community. 

Volunteer Program 
Undergraduate student volunteers are a vital part of our international research team. Each participant will join in all aspects of fieldwork, learning stratigraphic excavation techniques, recording methods, and artifact analysis. Click here to watch a brief video about the program which offers experiential learning and is physically strenuous. All participants will be required to pay a $2400 fee to cover housing, meals, local travel, and program costs for six weeks. 

Click here to learn more about the program, and to schedule an interview, please contact Bryan Burns.

 

Eloen Excavation

 

Summer 2019

CLCV/MAS 220 Digital Archaeology in Greece

Digital technologies are transforming the ability of archaeologists to accurately record excavation, analyze artifacts, and restore fragmentary finds through virtual models/animation. This intensive, interdisciplinary course will introduce students to innovative practices in the application of new media to archaeological field work including two weeks based in central Greece. Students will learn how to create 3D models of artifacts, architecture, and archaeological contexts using drones and aerial photography, photogrammetry, and 3D digital scanners. As members of the international team pursuing the excavations at ancient Eleon, students will participate in the analysis of finds dating from the Late Bronze Age through Classical period, including human remains, ceramics, metal tools, and sculpted figurines. They will also document the spatial relationships of digital models through three-dimensional mapping, Geographical Information Systems, and virtual reality environments. Students’ final project will position their own creations within the discussion surrounding the standards of representation in traditional academic formats and new digital opportunities, the ethics of replication and online distribution, and the relationships between 3D modeling. virtual/augmented reality, and material fabrication.