A little more about me...

Hi friends!
So here's a little about me...

I started out my university adventure in 2009 with little to no idea of what I was doing, supposed to study, or what my future plans were after graduation. I originally had declared my major in sociology only to find that focus wasn't what I was truly passionate about. I am now a cultural anthropology major, with sociology minor. Being in my fourth year, I have now found what I am passionate about doing, which is helping people learn, develop and grow into the best people they can be (cheesy, yes I know, but it's true!). This may sound somewhat contrasting to what many anthropological fields- including archaeology- teach and develop, because it is! After some personal encounters and a little bit more life experience, I am going into the field of mental health and addictions counselling. I realize that if I'd found what I love to do back in 2009, I might have taken a social work degree, however, I have learned incredible amounts about society, past, present and future which I think is invaluable knowledge to bring with me into my career goals. Social interactions fascinate and intrigue me in how they shape the individual and the world in which we live. As much as my future plans sound somewhat contrary to learning about the dead, I love archaeology and everything to do with it and am so glad my degree has led me down this path and into courses like this that help broaden my understanding of how people once lived and what they believed in.

So! After graduation I plan to travel as much as I can, starting with my family heritage in Norway and Sweden and seeing where I end up! After that, I'm taking a 1 year course called an IMHA (Interprofessional Mental Health and Addictions) post-degree diploma.

Specifically, the part that I am most interested in the course is the material on how different cultural beliefs shape and mould how the dead are buried or cremated. Why is it that some cultures believe that burying the dead is the only means acceptable for disposal and others think of it as a great outrage to place loved ones in the ground? Also, I'd like to learn more about how people perceived the soul/body connection to an afterlife and how this interplays with the type of burial that is performed.

Cheers! (too bad this class wasn't in the evening or else I'd convince some of you to come talk with me about culture, death and afterlife over a beer at Felicita's)

Stephanie