@Sandro: First off, sorry this is late! I was falling asleep so I decided to wait and reply until I was more awake. That book sounds absolutely fascinating though! I love Archaeology, its one of my potential future career goals (I have roughly 5, but most are International or Archaeological themed) One of the problems with College was I took too many classes so I dont know exactly what I want my career to be, I just know Im interested in a lot of things. Thankfully, most are in the same subject area. If there was a career where I could study the Sociology of Ancient Civilizations, or track the Silk Road, or have a career identifying old weapons, I would be absolute heaven. (I just got a book about the history of bladed weapons, and ive been drooling over it since i bought it)
To sum all that up, yeah, Im with you on the finding ancient cities more interesting.
From the sounds of it your planning to be a Turkish Archaeologist?, for lack of better wording on my part. It honestly sounds fascinating, but is there a particular timeframe youre more interested in or is more a middle eastern archaeology interest? I ask because it seems we share the same regional interests both in terms of northern europe and especially more south/mediterranean/middle eastern.
If I could get away with learning all 3 languages I would, but somehow I dont see that happening anytime soon. Ive been re-looking into study abroad opportunities, and your right they do have a lot for Italy, but seeing as my Denmark plans didnt work out, Im going to take more time in planning, and more likely, only go for one tern or even find a summer program possibly. The main problem is a lot of the programs are art focussed, and Im looking at more anthropological or archaeology focussed. PSU has a great Greece program, however the program takes place in the dangerous part of Athens so Im somewhat hesitant to go, dangerous being as in, terrorist groups targeting tourists and study abroad students with goals to get greece to stop being a tourist destination. Normally it wouldnt stop me, but the building the program uses is right in the middle of the 'bad' district.
The Ottoman Empire class I think is under History, but I can check again. Im hoping its offered next term.