When I opened my letter and saw, “Congratulations” on top of it, my first reaction was disbelief. It was only a couple a couple of months ago that I had first heard about the opportunity for three students to go to Antarctica. Just the idea of going to Antarctica sounded so foreign , like going to the moon. Even now that I know I am going on this trip it still seems like some crazy dream that I am going to wake up from. Its crazy that this awesome opportunity came to our little town in Wisconsin, thanks Mr. Botella! But even more than my disbelief was my excitement. I’ve always imagined myself being a scientist when I’m older, and this trip will achieve that earlier than planned! It will give me chance to talk to people with the same interests as me and ultimately see what my future could look like. Most kids don't really get to study what their really interested in till college so I feel very fortunate for this opportunity to have come along in my high school years. Looking at my letter I felt like my life was flashing before my eyes. I know how much this trip will shape my future and I imagine myself always looking back on this trip as a trip that changed my life.