Here's the big question: I'm really interested in studying other cultures, so of course I'm really attracted to the idea of traveling internationally. Are there as many field positions available internationally as there are locally? If so, I would try to get in on as many international jobs as possible. Are there any important differences or things I would need to know about an international job? (expenses, places to stay, etc?) Basically I want to be able to study cultures in other countries, but I also want the freedom to go around and enjoy the country when I'm not on site. Does being a field tech offer such freedom?
To my way of thinking, the travel-and-see-the-world aspects of the field tech life is the single best reason to spend a couple years being a shovel bum. Wages and availability of jobs and housing will vary from company to company, from dig to dig, whether nationally or internationally. Your best bet is to not have a lot of stuff and responsibility to drag around with you, and be ready to go with whatever turns up. One thing you should be aware of, that in many many countries, the regular field hands are local folks, and for you to get hired on in say, Turkey or Mexico, you'll need enough experience to play a supervisory role. So plan on working in the US, Canada, Australia, or the UK for awhile.
