_{Hi everyone! My name is Svennie, and I’m a third-year Global Responsibility & Leadership (GRL) student majoring in Ecology, Energy, and Climate at Campus Fryslân. This blog post is about what has undoubtedly been the most extraordinary journey of my life so far—a one-month internship in Antarctica. In the following, I’ll share what I was doing there, my experiences, and the key takeaways from this unique adventure.} 

My Minor: From Rainforests to Ice Deserts: My Journey to Antarctica 

The first half of my Minor I lived in the rainforest of Costa Rica, where I studied carbon sequestration levels across different forest types. From this, I shifted to my second internship in the icy desert of Antarctica, where I worked at a Chilean research station as part of my environmental field research internship. Having explored environmental sciences throughout my major, these two internships provided an invaluable opportunity to deepen my knowledge through hands-on fieldwork. Unlike purely computer-based scientific research, these months in Latin America and Antarctica allowed me to experience the realities of field research firsthand, making my academic journey even more rewarding. 

Before Antarctica: The Journey Begins 

Traveling to Antarctica is an incredibly rare and special opportunity, and I was fortunate enough to be offered this experience through Dr. Professor Raúl Cordero, who had been my professor for multiple courses at Campus Fryslân. I first encountered his work when he gave a presentation about Antarctica, his research there, and the profound impacts of climate change on the continent. From the very beginning, I was deeply fascinated and inspired by scientists conducting research in such a remote and extreme environment. I immediately recognised how crucial long-term monitoring of
environmental changes in this vulnerable region is. 

When it came time to plan my Minor internship, I reached out to Professor Cordero to see if there was any possibility of joining his research team in Antarctica. When it worked out, I could hardly believe my luck. Few people will ever set foot on this continent, and I was about to be one of them! 

Having traveled extensively before university, I knew that I thrived in unfamiliar, challenging environments. Exploring new places, immersing myself in different cultures, and embracing the unknown has always fueled my curiosity. The adventurer in me was thrilled at the prospect of contributing to essential scientific research in one of the most extreme and fragile places on Earth. Moreover, the idea of traveling farther than I had ever gone before—to a land so untouched and uninhabitable—sparked a sense of wonder and excitement in me. Beyond my experiences of travelling a lot independently, I believe my passion for climate change research, environmental pollution, and the broader challenges facing our planet played a key role in securing this opportunity. The logistical preparations were surprisingly simple, as Professor Cordero facilitated my involvement through his ongoing Antarctic research.

In the weeks leading up to my departure, I had a few concerns. My basic Spanish skills made me nervous, especially knowing that Chilean Spanish is notoriously fast with a very distinct dialect, difficult for beginners to understand. I also wondered how I would cope with the rarity of sunlight and the absence of trees. As someone very sensitive to weather, I worried about the extreme climate, the isolation, and the limited freedom of movement—all things that play an important role in my well-being in daily life. 

However, these concerns were overshadowed by my overwhelming excitement. I couldn’t wait to acquire new skills, experience life at an Antarctic research base, and witness the breathtaking landscapes and wildlife of this icy wilderness. More than anything, I was eager to immerse myself in this extreme adventure and contribute to meaningful research in one of the world’s most critical and rapidly changing environments. 

The adventurer in me was thrilled at the prospect of contributing to essential scientific research in one of the most extreme and fragile places on Earth.

My Role in Antarctica 

During my time in Antarctica, I assisted Helga Handt, a Venezuelan researcher studying microplastic contamination in snow, water, and sediment samples. This project is part of a broader research project on the cascading climate extremes in the northern Antarctic peninsula which is led by Professor Cordero. We were based at the Chilean Research Station Profesor Julio Escudero, travelling to multiple field sites to collect data. The researcher I assisted had previously gathered samples from the same locations two years ago, making our study a valuable follow-up to enhance the reliability and accuracy of the results. 

At each site, we collected 5 liters of snow in five transects, 5 liters of seawater, and around 5 x 750g of sediment samples. In the lab, we filtered the samples with ultra-fine filters to capture microplastics, which will later undergo chemical analysis to identify different types of plastic. Additionally, we measured water parameters such as pH and temperature to provide further depth to our study. 

Furthermore, a significant portion of my time was spent at a research platform equipped with multiple measuring devices dedicated to atmospheric and environmental sciences. These instruments support studies on climate change, meteorology, and atmospheric chemistry by collecting real-time data on greenhouse gases, aerosols, and other atmospheric components. This data is crucial for improving climate models and understanding environmental shifts in Antarctica. 

One of my main tasks alongside the researcher I was working for, involved helping install a new device to measure solar irradiance levels. Additionally, the computers connected to the measurement instruments required frequent calibration, which was another key responsibility. 

On average, my schedule involved 5-6 hours of fieldwork three times a week, several hours at the research platform, lab work and data entry on the remaining days for sample preparation and analysis. This is how I spent one of the most extraordinary months of my life—working in Antarctica just before my university courses at Campus Fryslân resumed.

On average, my schedule involved 5-6 hours of fieldwork three times a week, several hours at the research platform, lab work and data entry on the remaining days for sample preparation and analysis.

The Experience: A Surreal Reality 

It is difficult to put into words how special and transformative this experience was. Waking up each morning in Antarctica often felt surreal—it was almost unbelievable that I was living and working in one of the most remote places on Earth. I remember feeling an overwhelming sense of excitement about my work, particularly the fieldwork, which I enjoyed the most. 

Having been nearly the only student at the research base among renowned biologists and climate scientists was both intimidating and inspiring. The opportunity to learn from experienced researchers was invaluable, and I gained so much knowledge in such a short time. However, what struck me the most was witnessing firsthand the extent of plastic pollution—something I had not imagined to this degree in a place as isolated as Antarctica. The realisation of how pervasive microplastics are, even in the most remote regions, was truly shocking. 

The realisation of how pervasive microplastics are, even in the most remote regions, was truly shocking. 

Persisting Challenges 

Despite the excitement, my time in Antarctica was not without its challenges. The most difficult aspect was the restriction of movement. For safety reasons, we were never allowed to walk outside alone. Additionally, harsh weather conditions—including extreme cold, strong winds, and strong snowfall—often confined us indoors. As someone who loves physical activity and the outdoors, this limitation was tough to adjust to. 

As expected, the lack of greenery and sunlight had a noticeable impact on me. Spending four weeks surrounded only by shades of white and gray, without a single tree in sight, was a strange and unfamiliar experience. Furthermore, the language barrier posed an additional challenge. As mentioned, the Chilean Spanish is fast and distinct, having made social interactions more difficult. As the only non-Chilean at the station (besides the Venezuelan researcher I was assisting), I sometimes found myself retreating socially more than usual. While I cherished the cultural experience, I would have loved to engage even more deeply in conversations had it been in one of my two fluent languages. 

Despite these obstacles, I kept reminding myself of the positive impact of our research and the privilege of being in such a unique place. 

Highlights: Moments of Wonder 

The breathtaking landscapes, the sheer remoteness and isolation of Antarctica felt almost alien-like, being so far removed from the bustling world and surrounded by glaciers and the vastness of untouched land. Witnessing the wildlife was another unforgettable highlight—seeing penguins, seals, and even a whale up close was an absolute privilege. However, the greatest highlight was contributing to research that aligns so deeply with my passion for environmental protection. Knowing that our work could help raise awareness about the impact of human activity on even the most remote ecosystems was incredibly fulfilling. Unexpectedly, weekly salsa and volleyball classes at the station added a touch of joy to the experience—who would have thought I’d learn to dance salsa in Antarctica? 

Reflecting Back 

This experience has taught me so much—both academically and personally. Scientifically, I deepened my understanding of field research methodologies, environmental monitoring, and lab analysis. I also gained firsthand experience of working alongside dedicated researchers, learning from their expertise and witnessing how high-level scientific studies are conducted. 

On a personal level, I discovered what living environments and daily routines matter most to me and how to adapt when I can’t follow them. I also have found the balance between research, lab work, and time spent outdoors seems like the right type of work for me. 

More than anything, this journey has taught me a lot of persistence and adaptability and made me feel even more passionate about working in science and contributing to the protection of the planet and its life.

Curious to see more? Go check out Svennie's reel on Instagram.

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