This post features student writing.

When we arrived in El Calafate, Argentina, all 18 of us were breath-taken. Long, vast plains bled into giant, towering mountains. The energy in the air was positively electric. Although Buenos Aires was an experience to remember, the gasps and smiles on all our faces were proof enough that this was what we were all waiting to set foot in. The small town was filled with beautiful stray dogs who treated us like their owners and followed us around all day and night. It was an amazing start to this cool mountain town. Nothing, however, could prepare us for what came the next day.

We rose bright and early, and got ready to hit the road. We were stopped by the breathtaking sunrise against the mountains. The sun rises here at 9:30 AM. It was the best way to wake up. Our enthusiasm had not died once as we watched the white plains transform into white forests. With instructions from our guide, we all prepared to witness the main attraction of the day: the Perito Moreno Glacier, the only ascending glacier in the world. We stopped to take a boat ride to get the chance to be up close and personal with the glacier. With the ice sheet so close, nestled between multiple enormous mountains, we felt small, but also elated at such a rare view. We set out once again to visit the amazing boardwalks overlooking the glacier valley. The bright blue ice walls seem to stretch forever into the horizon. It was magnificent. Not only did we get a wider view of the glacier, but many of us were lucky enough to see ice calving off the front of the glacier, followed by what sounded like thunder. The bus ride back was a time to reflect. Dinner was a Patagonian asado, or a roast. It was a full three courses of steak, more steak, and chicken. Afterward, we played in the snow per usual. It has been all of our favorite day so far. Tomorrow we set off to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world!

— Collin y Clara