My name is Daniela Gradilla and I am a senior majoring in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology. As many of you know, archaeology students are required to do a field school during their undergrad. I had always wanted to be a part of a field school and to experience what archaeology is all about but with the COVID-19 pandemic, I worried that I wouldn’t have that opportunity. I have always been interested in Native American archaeology and that is why I decided to apply for the UIUC Island and Coastal Archaeology Summer Field School. Participating in this field school was one of the best decisions I ever made. Not only did I learn new methods and techniques, but I also met really great people. A field school is something I think every archaeology student should be a part of and the sooner, the better. For some, it may determine whether you actually want to pursue archaeology. When I first thought of field school, I thought of conducting research and digging all day. There is so much more that goes into it. You are living in a new place and interacting with people who share common interests. Not only do you learn about history and archaeology, but you also learn how to work and interact with people. A field school is an experience in so many different ways.