This week we are joined by archaeologist and longtime Bittersweet Life listener Christy Schirmer. In her mid-30s, Christy decided to quit her job and pursue a PhD in Classics, something she had always dreamed about doing. Fast-forward a few years and she now comes to Italy (a country she loves) to work once a year on archaeological digs. What's she looking for in the dirt? And how did she decide to take the risk of leaving her old life behind? Christy chats with Katy about the reality of being an archaeologist today (spoiler: it's not all Indiana Jones), what examining the ancients can bring to our modern lives, what the ancient Greeks and Romans had in common with us, and why her favorite thing to study is an ancient garbage pit. Also: when you work in a country for a few months out of every year, but don't actually live there, are you a tourist or a local? How do you balance that in-between state? And what if you want to move there indefinitely, but the job prospects are dismal? We discuss these topics and more on this week's episode of The Bittersweet Life. Learn more about the project Christy is working on presently in Morgantina, Sicily here, or find them on Instagram @aemcap. Find Christy herself on Twitter @loquensmachina or on Instagram @loquensmachina. ------------------------------------------------------------------- SPONSOR THE SHOW: Reach expats, future expats, and travelers all over the world. Send us an email to get the conversation started. DONATE: Open your laptop and visit The Bittersweet Life and click the donate button on the right side of the page. The show needs your support to continue. JOIN THE CONVERSATION: If you have a question or a topic you want us to address, send us an email at bittersweetlife@mail.com. You can also connect to us through Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram – Better yet, tag #thebittersweetlife with your story for a chance to be featured! NEW TO THE SHOW? Don't be afraid to start with Episode 1: OUTSET SUBSCRIBE: Subscribe to the podcast to make sure you never miss an episode. WRITE A REVIEW: Leave us a rating and a written review on iTunes so more listeners can find us. BOOK: Want to read Tiffany's book, Midnight in the Piazza? Learn more here or order on Amazon. TOUR ROME: If you're traveling to Rome, don't miss the chance to tour the city with Tiffany as your guide! © The Bittersweet Life – Web and show content can only be used with written permission