4 August 2006
Alisa
O'Connor
University
of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
Dear Distinguished Members of the Notre Dame Anthropology Community,
Before this summer, I had never stepped foot in Smithsonian's National
Museum of Natural History. It seemed to me like a far away place that
held all kinds of treasures, but it wasn't until I arrived and started
seeing what was happening around me that I realized just how amazing
the Smithsonian Institution is. Looking back to the moment I found out
I had been accepted to the Research Training Program (RTP), I see now
that I had no idea what would be ahead of me. This summer has been one
of the most amazing experiences I have had, and I want to express my
sincere thanks to the Notre Dame Partnership for making this opportunity
a reality for me.
It is hard to say which part of this summer has been the most eye-opening
for me, as I have learned so much about my own field and the fields
of my fellow interns. I can say with certainty, however, that nothing
felt more amazing than opening drawer after drawer of cultural artifacts
in the collections. As I looked through collections that were hundreds,
sometimes thousands of years old and most people would probably never
see, I really did feel like a little kid in a candy store. Besides this,
the experience of being intimate with my specific collections of Native
American catlinite pipes was one that was truly unique. I became more
than a visitor; I had the experience of doing my own research and getting
to handle and observe these sacred cultural objects. It is fascinating
how the artwork and forms of these pipes are so varied across cultures
and space, and yet there are same themes and patterns reflected in many
of them.
The Research Training Program means bringing together some of the most
qualified students from all different fields, and I learned so much
from them about subjects I never would have been interested in otherwise.
My peers, as well as the organized tours, opened my eyes to all the
strange and really amazing things that reside in the world.
I cannot express my thanks enough to Notre Dame for both making this
opportunity available and choosing me to be part of it. The people I
have met and the things I have learned about my field will be with me
long after I leave this amazing city.
Sincerely,
Alisa O'Connor
Research Training Program
Class of '06