Tips for Field Work/International Travel:

The following is an article I published originally in the Canadian Association of Physical Anthropology Newsletter (Spring 2011).  You can find the original publication here.  I am reposting it here since the information is very relevant, particularly for anyone interested in or currently planning on doing fieldwork (as summer time is the most frequent time students and scholars conduct fieldwork).

Don’t forget your Snickers bar...And other helpful tips to know before embarking on fieldwork.

While in undergrad, a professor told us about her opportunity to conduct fieldwork in Africa.  She had never previously left the country and was bombarded with advice about what to expect when in the field.  Of all the advice, the best was to take several Snickers bars with her.  She laughed but admitted that she coveted those Snickers bars, eating them sparingly as they were her little reminder of home. 

That story has stuck out in my mind over the years, particularly when I have gone out in the field over my anthropological career.  While I agree with my professor’s advice, there are several other things that one should know (and remember) before heading out in to the field, be it close or far from home.  Heed these pieces of advice as you may need them even if you do no expect it.

• Do not forget your “Snickers bars”.  It is important to bring something that reminds you of home along with you on your trip.  You cannot know how much you may need it, particularly when home sick or frustrated with your work.  Plus, you never know when you could use that “Snickers bar” to strike up a conversation between you and a colleague, friend, or random stranger from whom you need help.  I found that family photographs made relations between the Hostel staff and me much easier, which helped me out greatly during my stay.
• Know the language.  This seems like common sense.  How else can one effectively communicate with colleagues or get around if one does not know the language?  Do not assume that anyone will speak your native tongue because chances are you will run into a situation where no one does and you really need some sort of help (even if it is just to find a washroom).  Along this, know the language, as in know the culture and meanings behind the language, even if you are going somewhere close to your home.  Certain words or phrases that mean nothing to you may have deeper meanings amongst the people you are working with.  Example: In Chile, people will frequently ask a woman, “Are you alone?”  This is because women usually do not travel alone, and therefore people are concerned about their safety.  There is a double meaning to this question: “Are you single?”  This can lead to several awkward conversations if the context of the question is lost or unknown.  Avoid this by learning not only how to speak the language, but also the contextual meanings before heading out into the field.
• Read the local (of your field site) newspaper before you leave.  Some events and information will make the international and national news agencies (e.g. natural disasters, elections, coups, etc.), but other information will not.  It is in your best interest to find out what is going on locally in the field area.  Holidays, protests, pollution, strikes, etc. could interfere with your work and/or make it extremely dangerous to work in the area.  Talk to colleagues or read the online newspapers, blogs, etc. to find out what you can and prepare accordingly.
• Have a Plan B...and C, D, E, F, and G if possible.  You write a research proposal or have some sort of plan for your research/work before you head out, but very few people devise a “just in case” back up plan.  It is best to have a back up plan in case something delays or ends your research project.  Machines break down, museum records are wrong, collections go missing, weather interferes, etc.  Having a back up plan (or three) is helpful for keeping on track and not delaying your work anymore than necessary.
• Know what the requirements are of where you are going.  Some countries require people to pay for entrance visas before entering, and these costs range from country to country.  To complicate matters further, these entrance visas may have an expiry date, and you should know what options are available for renewal.  As well, some places require you to have proof of specific vaccinations before you enter.  If you do not have these documents, you may not be allowed to enter the country or you may be quarantined for an extended period.  Avoid these delays by familiarizing yourself with these regulations before you leave.
• Be prepared and willing to spend money for your safety.  You should not be afraid or unwilling to pay more for safety.  Know what modes of travel, areas of town, places to eat, hotels or hostels, doctors/facilities, etc. are safe.  This is important not only for the time lost from being ill but because you could potentially harm yourself for far longer than your time in the field.  As such, do not be miserly about your safety.
• Sunscreen is your friend.  Do not forget sunscreen, bug repellent, a small first aid kit, etc.  These items may not be available or are available at an inflated cost (e.g. $20 for an ounce of sunscreen).  You may think you will not need these items or you can do without, but you may come to regret that decision later, particularly when you are forever known as “The Shrimp” because of the awful sunburn you had all field season.
• Do not bring anything you will be upset to lose.  It may be your favorite sweater that you must bring with you everywhere you go, but are you able to part with it?  If the answer is no, then leave it at home.  You may plan to be extra careful, but you cannot control for everything, including theft, laundry mishaps, no room in your suitcase, etc.  It is best to bring things that you will have no problems losing or leaving if absolutely necessary.
• Know how to contact family and friends.  Before you leave, find out if you will have access to the internet, telephones, cellular phones, and/or snail mail.  You may be surprised by what you do have access to in some areas but not in others.  Parts of the rural USA only have a few pay phones, limited cell service, and postal mail but no access to the internet, making it difficult to contact family, friends, and your supervisor or committee.  Areas in South America, however, have several communication options available, including internet cafes, local and long distance phone centers, cellular services, and postal mail.  Also check what access to banks and wire transfers you will have available to you in the field in case you run into a monetary emergency. 
• Expect reverse culture shock.  Expect to feel reverse culture shock upon returning home.  You may have been speaking a different language for months, observing foreign customs, dressing a different way, etc., and all of a sudden you have to revert back to how you were before you left.  The reverse culture shock can last a while but this is dependent on the length of time you were away. 
• Expect to be sick both in and out of the field.  Your body is used to a specific environment, and you may get sick upon entering a new one and upon returning to the old one.  You may feel a little stomach discomfort or far worse.  Make sure you have adequate travel insurance that will actually cover any medical expenses incurred in the field.  Do not assume the plan covers everything or everywhere as some plans will not cover medical costs incurred in “high risk regions.”
• REMEMBER TO HAVE SOME FUN!  A senior faculty member once said, “Be happy.  You’ll never be able to conduct research like this again!”  Enjoy the freedom to conduct field research like that you can in your student career but also be sure to take a moment and enjoy the scenery.  Network with colleagues, make friends outside of your direct research group, check out the sites, explore your surroundings, and whatever else you find fun.  You never know what you will find, what experiences will make great stories for later, and the lasting friendships you will make.  Plus, these experiences and people will help take some of the edge off of the stress of working/researching, which will make the whole overall experience much more enjoyable.