j-ogenes

To the archaeologists and other anthropologists on the forum:
I'm writing a novel and I need some help with research. The protagonist is named Shell and she grows up in a Seventh-Day Adventist family. After I portray her childhood and adolescence I'm going to send her off to a public university and then to graduate school in anthropology where she'll focus on Biblical Archaeology.

I have been researching the basics of archaeology and have learned some of the big names in the field, etc. But what I'm looking for is someone or someones who would be willing to exchange a few private messages with me to give me some direction on describing the life of an anthro grad student. I need to be able to get inside the culture of an anthro department--a feel for grad coursework, what kinds of discussions or arguments the students and faculty might have, etc.

I would of course be full to bursting with appreciation for any time any of you can spare me. Thanks,
Jeff