In January 2024, I took a step that would change the course of my life - I applied for a job in Antarctica.
It wasn’t a decision I made lightly. After 19 years in the same job, surrounded by a close-knit team and the steady rhythm of life, the idea of heading to one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth felt both thrilling and daunting. But something inside me needed a new challenge, a deeper purpose, and maybe a bit of adventure too.
As the weeks rolled on, the process tested me in ways I hadn’t expected. Practical assessments, technical interviews challenged my knowledge and problem-solving abilities, and the medical checks were as thorough as you'd imagine for a journey to the edge of the world. Every stage made the possibility feel a little more real - and a little more terrifying.
Then, the offer came.
I had gotten the job.
It was a strange moment—part joy, part disbelief, and part heartbreak. Accepting the offer meant saying goodbye to a workplace that had been part of my identity for nearly two decades. Even harder, it meant saying farewell to family and friends, knowing I wouldn’t see them for a full year.
After the emotional farewells, I made my way to Tasmania for pre-departure training with the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). That’s where everything began to feel real. I met the incredible group of people I’d be sharing the next 12 months with - people from all walks of life, each bringing unique skills, stories, and energy. We trained together, laughed together, and started forming bonds that would carry us through the isolation and extremes ahead.
Then we arrived on station. I had applied for the role of diesel mechanic during the job application process, and now that I'm here, my position is exactly that - responsible for maintaining and repairing the engines and generators that keep the station running in these extreme conditions.
The first few weeks were tough. The cold was like nothing I had ever experienced - sharp, relentless, and always present. I honestly couldn't imagine it getting any colder. Everything about life here took adjusting to; the gear, the routines, the environment. But slowly, with each passing day, it got easier. My body adapted, my mindset shifted, and I began to find a rhythm.
When we arrived, it was the heart of summer - over 20 hours of sunlight each day. It was surreal, with the sun barely dipping below the horizon and the landscape bathed in a constant, eerie glow. Now, as we move into May, everything is changing. The days have grown short. Darkness is settling in. We’re preparing ourselves for the long winter ahead.
One of the things that has made it easier down here is the ability to stay connected with home. Being able to talk to family and friends, hear their voices, see their faces, and share stories from both sides of the world - it keeps the distance from feeling so vast. Even just a quick chat or a photo from back home can lift the spirits more than you’d expect.
Here in Antarctica, I’ve joined a new kind of family - a group of people bound not by where we come from, but by what we've come here to do. We live and work together in one of the harshest yet most awe-inspiring places on Earth, and every day brings something unexpected.
This journey isn’t just about the job. It’s about growth, resilience, and rediscovering who I am outside of the life I’d always known.
With many more months to go, there shall be many more adventures to have on this icy continent.
By Dominik Langiewicz, Mawson Mechanic
