After traveling to Antarctica, I gained a much deeper understanding of Antarctica’s unique role in the global business environment and in the world more broadly. Antarctica itself is not a traditional market, but it is deeply connected to global systems through scientific research, environmental regulation, tourism, and international cooperation under the Antarctica Treaty System. I learned how carefully managed expedition tourism represents a growing global industry that balances economic activity with strict sustainability and conservation standards. This experience showed me how businesses operating in Antarctica must prioritize environmental responsibility, transparency, and international law above profit. More generally, Antarctica highlighted how global business decisions such as climate policy, resource management, and sustainable travel have worldwide consequences. Seeing the continent firsthand made the abstract ideas of climate change, global governance, and ethical business practices feel real, urgent, and interconnected. It was also interesting hearing about the experiences of other guests on the boat, even if they were not Antarctica related. For example, there were many Russian tourists as Argentina is one of the few countries that allows Russians to enter without a visa, thus, many Russians travel to Antarctica from Argentina. I also met a man on the boat who has travelled to North Korea and a woman who has backpacked through the middle east and Afghanistan. Meeting these people helped widen my global perspective. Before this trip, I imagined Antarctica as distant, untouched, and separate from everyday global systems. That assumption was only partially accurate. While the landscape is remote and pristine, I learned that Antarctica is deeply shaped by human decisions, international cooperation, and global business practices. My time abroad changed my perspective by showing how fragile and interconnected the continent truly is. I also realized how diverse global perspectives are through conversations with fellow travelers, which challenged my assumptions and expanded how I understand the world beyond my own experiences.
