pre-deployment nervousness

[u/sky_girl919]

I am leaving in a few days for my very first season on ice in McMurdo and while I am mostly very excited, I’m also starting to get a bit nervous. I have never even left the US before and I don’t know anyone who has deployed, so I’m going into this experience pretty blind. What would be some good advice for someone going into their first season who’s a bit nervous?

[u/Holla_fora_Dolla]

I was the same way! First time leaving the country and I didn't know ANYONE going down. Just follow the instructions they give you. You'll start noticing the seasonal look in a bunch of people on the international flight and just ask them, "Hey you going to Antarctica, too?" great way to start making your tribe. You'll notice the people with two 50lb luggage bags in the check bag line, too. By the time you get to Auckland, you'll see the whole Antarctician tribe moving from the international to the domestic terminal.

I wish I was going back! Nothing like stepping off the C-17 at Phoenix and taking in your first crisp breath of icy air.