DSU community invited to explore Antarctica in 2027

September 30, 2026

MADISON, S.D. -- Dakota State University alumni, students, and friends will have an opportunity to experience Antarctica during a 12-day expedition planned for Dec. 8-19, 2027.

Led by DSU Associate Professor of Marketing Dr. Deb Tech, the trip will take travelers from Ushuaia, Argentina, across the Drake Passage to the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Students are also welcome to participate, although the experience is designed primarily for alumni and friends of the University.

The expedition will place travelers amid some of the planet's most striking landscapes, including glacier-lined channels, snow-covered mountain peaks, and icebergs in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Wildlife viewing may include gentoo, chinstrap, and Adélie penguins, along with whales, seals, albatrosses, and other seabirds.

"Trips like this give members of the DSU community a chance to experience a part of the world that few people ever see and to build connections through a shared adventure," Tech said. "Antarctica offers an extraordinary combination of wildlife, science, history, and natural beauty, and I'm excited to help our travelers experience it together."

The group will sail aboard the M/V Sea Spirit, a small expedition ship with exterior-view accommodations. The voyage is expected to include approximately two activities per day, conditions permitting. Planned experiences include shore landings, guided hikes, Zodiac cruises, wildlife observation, expert-led presentations, photography instruction, and opportunities to visit the ship's bridge. Optional sea kayaking and overnight camping may also be available.

After an included hotel night in Ushuaia, travelers will board the ship and sail through the Beagle Channel before crossing the Drake Passage. Onboard briefings, lectures, and biosecurity procedures will prepare the group for its arrival in Antarctica.

Several days are scheduled for exploring the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Potential destinations include the Gerlache Strait and the Lemaire Channel, a narrow, highly photographed passage known for its steep, snow-covered mountains and reflections on the water. The region also includes international research stations and historically significant landing sites.

As with any Antarctic expedition, the precise route, landings, activities, and wildlife encounters will depend on weather, ice, and sea conditions. The ship's captain and expedition leader will adjust plans throughout the voyage to make the best use of safe opportunities.

"Part of what makes an expedition to Antarctica so memorable is that the environment helps shape each day," Tech said. "Travelers can expect a comfortable small-ship experience, but they should also come ready for discovery, flexibility, and the kind of moments that cannot be fully captured in an itinerary."

The cruise concludes with a return crossing of the Drake Passage and disembarkation in Ushuaia on Dec. 19. Because participants will need time to travel through Buenos Aires and onward to Ushuaia, the overall trip is expected to begin several days before the cruise and conclude shortly after it.

The Antarctica expedition continues a series of international travel opportunities organized by Tech for members of the DSU community. Previous destinations have included Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Norway, Thailand, Italy, the Galápagos Islands, and Machu Picchu. Other upcoming trips include Greece in May 2027 and Newfoundland, Canada, in spring 2028.

Those interested in the Antarctica trip or seeking reservation information should contact Tech at [email protected].

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