On a more educational front, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to visit Antarctica. The thirteen-day polar expedition cruise tour started at the southernmost city on the planet, Ushuaia and from there the oceanic voyage took us through the Antarctic Peninsula.

Organized and headed by climate change advocate Sir Robert Swan – the renowned explorer who made history by becoming the first person to walk to both poles – the 2041 excursion shines light on the startling factors that contribute to the rising temperatures affecting the Antarctic ecosystem. 2041 was founded by the polar explorer to preserve the Antarctic by raising awareness on sustainability and combating the effects of climate change through workshops, group work and leadership sessions.

Between hiking glaciers and walking alongside penguins to riding out The Drake Passage – considered one of the roughest seas in the world – and humpback whales swimming alongside our boat, this was just the tip of the iceberg (literally!)

One unforgettable activity of the trip was the polar plunge in -4C freezing water. They would play fast tempo music to get our adrenalin pumping as we stood in a single file line before each one of us in the group made the heart-stopping jump.

Following the trip, I went to the American United School as speaker to hold a talk about climate change. There, I discussed my experience and to give kids awareness about our role as humans to protect the climate, the planet that we live in, by promoting recycling and renewable energy.