“One, two, three, go!” I roll backwards from the Zodiac and fall into the freezing Antarctic waters. For a moment, my body is in shock, the change in temperature is so extreme that I don’t know how to react. It is the first time I have entered water at 0°C. I get a brain freeze and my head hurts; my face goes completely numb. It takes me a couple of minutes to adjust to this new environment and these sensations. Once I am accustomed, I start looking around. I am surrounded by blue water, rocks, and algae, it feels like another world. Then I see penguins swimming at the surface, and that is when it hits me: I am diving in Antarctica!

Antarctica has always been one of the places I dreamed of visiting, but I never thought I would actually go there. When I became the 2025 North American Our World Underwater Scholar, I set a goal to challenge myself, dive in new environments, and step out of my comfort zone. I knew I wanted to dive in cold water and learn to use a drysuit. I loved it and was hooked immediately. Then Faith Ortins, a longtime friend and sponsor of the scholarship, invited me to join Blue Green Expeditions on their Antarctica voyage with Oceanwide Expeditions aboard the vessel Ortelius. When I received the invitation, I knew I couldn’t miss this opportunity. During the first months of my scholarship, I trained in a drysuit as much as possible so I could join the expedition and dive in polar waters.

January came, and I was ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime. I flew to Ushuaia, Argentina, where I hiked in some of the most beautiful mountains and glaciers in the world. There, we met everyone joining the expedition, embarked on the Ortelius, and began navigating the Drake Passage.

For two weeks, we explored the Antarctic Peninsula. Waking up every day to views of icebergs and white mountains felt magical. The feeling of being so far away, not seeing other humans for days, was strange but addictive. The white landscapes were breathtaking, and the wildlife encounters were incredibly special. We saw humpback whales, orcas, albatrosses, frigatebirds, skuas, and seals (crabeater, Weddell, and leopard). We encountered penguins– Adélies, gentoos, chinstraps, and even a solitary emperor standing on an iceberg. Life underwater was just as incredible. Diving in freezing waters rewarded us with stunning scenes of sea stars, brittle stars, anemones, sea butterflies, sea angels, algae, and even some fish.

This trip was especially meaningful because Blue Green Expeditions provided scholarships for young people interested in polar regions to join the voyage. There were research projects studying algae microbiomes, sea star wasting disease, phytoplankton, and isotopes. I was able to assist by collecting samples and learning alongside the researchers.

There was also a group of artists, including OWUSS alumna Rosie Poirier, Imogen Parker, and Rose Dalrymple. They documented our expedition through art and encouraged others to do the same by hosting workshops and creating an art corner where everyone could draw or paint. They even organized an “art Zodiac,” where we had the chance to paint icebergs while floating in the ocean. It was a beautiful experience that reminded me how powerful art can be in conservation.

Every day on the trip was different and we never knew what to expect. Some days we went diving, cruised on Zodiacs, explored land to visit penguin colonies, toured research stations, or even enjoyed an outdoor BBQ. One of my favorite days began after breakfast. I was getting ready to dive, and running late, when the crew announced over the speaker that a pod of orcas had been spotted. My excitement was overwhelming. I grabbed my camera and ran to the deck– orcas were the animals I was most excited to see. And there they were! I couldn’t believe it. After the excitement, it was time to dive. I buddied with my friend Steven Lopez (whom I had met a month earlier in the Philippines), and he captured incredible shots of me with icebergs, a couple of penguins, and even a sea angel. At the surface, I spotted a small iceberg and couldn’t resist the urge to climb it, so I did. I successfully conquered an iceberg! It was a day I will always remember.

Going to Antarctica is truly special. It is one of the least human-impacted places on Earth. Yet, even in its magic, there were difficult realities to face. On the boat, a researcher was sampling the water and, unfortunately but not surprisingly, found microplastics. Humanity’s footprint has reached every corner of the planet. The polar regions are melting at alarming rates. They hold the majority of the planet’s freshwater, and if they continue to melt, we will not only lose the Earth’s “freezer,” but rising sea levels will devastate nations. Being there made me reflect on how little we truly know about the poles and how many people underestimate the importance of protecting them.

Krill fisheries are one of the biggest threats Antarctica faces. Overfishing limits have already been pushed, and if extraction continues at current rates, the food chain could collapse. Krill are fundamental to the oceanic ecosystem, yet many people overlook their importance and the catastrophic consequences their decline could cause. We must talk more about these remote places and the impact they have on our everyday lives to be able to promote more conservation politics.

Going to Antarctica was the experience of a lifetime. I learned so much and had an unforgettable adventure. What made it even more special were the incredible people I met. Everyone — researchers, divers, explorers, photographers, filmmakers, ocean leaders, and advocates– was exceptional in their field. They inspired me to stay curious and keep learning. I formed friendships that I am certain will last a lifetime, and I am deeply grateful to have been part of such a meaningful expedition.

Thank you, Faith Ortins/Blue Green Expeditions, for all your kindness and for giving me the opportunity to experience such a unique and wonderful experience. Thank you, Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society for giving me this dream opportunity. Thank you to all my sponsors: Aqualung, Drysuits Unlimited International (DUI), Fourth Element, and Backscatter for giving me the gear and tools necessary for my year.