Sah22

Hello all, I recently was accepted into University College London's Cultural Heritage Studies MA program through its Institute of Archaeology. I had applied for a Fulbright to cover the cost, but alas, was not awarded a grant. I'm considering taking out the loans for the one year program ($25,000 tuition for US students), but the prospect of graduating with all of the debt and then some, is frightening. I am now wondering if I would be better off finding a program in the US. However, it seems as though there is not a lot of funding options for taught MA programs in the US, and most of the programs are two years in duration, making tuition just as daunting. There seem to be very few US programs in Cultural Heritage Studies, so I am now considering options with flexibility in applied anthropology or perhaps archaeology. I've found programs at University of Montana and other smaller universities that have cultural heritage focused MA options, but would prefer a bigger, perhaps more prestigious university, with more of an international focus. My top choice in the US would be Stanford as they have a variety of courses regarding cultural heritage studies, ethics, indigenous rights etc, but of course they have zero funding for the MA in Anthropology. Basically, will going to University College London for a year and graduating with that debt be great for someone who is looking to work in the international heritage/NGO scene? Or am I better off getting the MA anywhere I can that is affordable? Are there any other funding options for US students wanting to get an MA in the UK, other than Fulbright and Marshall? For background, I have a BA in Anthropology from Berkeley, and I am a CA resident. Many many thanks for your words of wisdom on this tough decision! Any school suggestions or funding suggestions are welcome.

Hello all, I recently was accepted into University College London's Cultural Heritage Studies MA program through its Institute of Archaeology. I had applied for a Fulbright to cover the cost, but alas, was not awarded a grant. I'm considering taking out the loans for the one year program ($25,000 tuition for US students), but the prospect of graduating with all of the debt and then some, is frightening. I am now wondering if I would be better off finding a program in the US. However, it seems as though there is not a lot of funding options for MA programs in the US, and most of the programs are two years in duration, making tuition just as daunting. There seem to be very few US programs in Cultural Heritage Studies, so I am now considering options with flexibility in applied anthropology or perhaps archaeology. I've found programs at University of Montana and other smaller universities that have cultural heritage focused MA options, but would prefer a bigger, perhaps more prestigious university, with more of an international focus. My top choice in the US would be Stanford, but of course they have zero funding for the MA in Anthropology. Basically, will going to University College London for a year and graduating with that debt be great for someone who is looking to work in the international heritage/NGO scene? Or am I better off getting the MA anywhere I can that is affordable? Are there any other funding options for US students wanting to get an MA in the UK, other than Fulbright and Marshall? For background, I have a BA in Anthropology from Berkeley, and I am a CA resident. Many many thanks for your words of wisdom on this tough decision!