“I was staying for all six weeks. What if I didn’t like it? I must admit that those weeks tested my endurance, willpower and the limits of physical exhaustion, but my fears were unfounded, as it was also the most rewarding six weeks of my life. I now have friends all over the world who get just as excited as I do over broken rim sherds or a piece of watermelon after a hot day of dry sifting.” Jennifer Greene (Qeiyafa)
“The thrill of every new discovery made working in the hot sun seem like a small price to pay.” Nancy Meyer (Akko)
“Working in Israel truly changed my worldview and helped me attain an ever greater appreciation for the past.” Brandon Olson (Akko)
“I’ve officially declared my major in archaeology and am now just one step closer to achieving my dream. This experience was so much more than hours of sorting through pottery sherds and mounds of dirt. I’ve become even more confident in my future and myself thanks to the time I spent in Israel.” Monica Parshley (Megiddo)
“I have never had such a good time performing physical labor. Every find was exciting, and my supervisor, along with Professors Amihai Mazar and Nava Panitz-Cohen, was more than happy to answer all of my questions both on and off the dig. Needless to say, I am already planning my next trip. I hope to return to Tel Rehov for their next season.” Sarah Simpson (Rehov)
“I cannot yet quite describe the sensation of digging. It was surreal to be sifting through dirt and pottery that was more than a thousand years old! I found in the process of digging a tangible medium for connecting with the site and its stories. It is hard to describe the thrill of finding a nice pottery rim or handle, the beginnings of what might be plaster, or even just a change in the dirt. I loved every minute of it!” Sara Vulgan (Ramat Rahel)
“On my way home [from the dig], tourists would look my way, not understanding why I had so much dust on my clothes. The local Israelis, however, understood that the dust on my clothes signified that I was returning from an archaeological dig, and they would often smile my way or even say, ‘Keep up the good work!’” Philip Zhakevich (City of David)
