I never thought I would get the chance to travel to the end of the world and what it means to travel to it. In the months leading up to my study abroad program, we began preparing to travel from Houston to Argentina and to the final destination of Antarctica. This preparation was divided into two separate parts – packing and learning. Packing involved preparing for the temperatures reaching between 20-30 degrees as well as what it means to be in complete 24-hour daylight. The next part of traveling for the trip was the weekly lectures that allowed me the chance to learn more about the continent that I would be traveling to from its organisms to its role in tourism. In addition to learning about the continent, we learning about the role that sustainability has on the economy, environment, and the people in society. Through the role of the packing and the lectures, I was able to truly appreciate the nature that has been preserved from humans.
On the trip, I truly believed that I would become accustomed to the beauty of Antarctica. It is only natural that you become accustomed to seeing something when you are around it whether that be the mountains in Colorado or the architecture of your hometown. However, being in Antarctica it truly showed how this statement is false. The beauty of nature and the astounding sights of the animals on the continent was something that each of us could not help but stare and take in. With each day, I was waiting for the beauty to dull or for the awe in my face as I looked out off the boat to stop but it wouldn’t. Through this trip, I was able to put away the technology that is often constant in our lives and appreciate the beauty of life and nature in a way that I would never be able to do again.
My trip to Antarctica has been a truly beautiful and eye-opening experience that has allowed me to learn more about myself as I travel to new locations and the peace that comes from being away from technology. With this peace, I was able to focus on the beauty of nature that cannot be captured on a camera.
