Student Spotlight: From Montana to the Arctic — A VITA Experience to Remember

Hi everyone! I’m currently a senior accounting student at Montana State University, and earlier this semester I had an incredible opportunity to travel to rural Alaskan villages to help prepare taxes.

Before the trip, I completed more than 40 hours of preparation, including earning my IRS VITA certification and working through 14 case studies to ensure I was ready to assist taxpayers in the villages.

Our journey began in Anchorage, where we completed an additional day of training. We were scheduled to leave for the villages on Monday, but weather delays kept us grounded until Tuesday. Once we finally departed, we made it to Prudhoe Bay—only to get stuck again due to more severe weather. Temperatures were around -30°F (and that’s without wind!).

We finally arrived in the village of Nuiqsut on Wednesday. After getting settled, we began preparing taxes that same day and spent the night in a kindergarten classroom at the local school. The next morning, we were back at it by 9 a.m., planning to serve the community through the evening. However, around noon, we had to quickly pack up and head to the airstrip as a blizzard was moving in. In just 30 minutes, we packed up both our workstations and personal belongings and made our way out. By that night, we were back in Anchorage.

Even though the trip didn’t go exactly as planned, it was an unforgettable experience. One of the most rewarding parts was providing tax services to individuals in these remote villages. Everyone we met was incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuinely appreciative of the help we were able to offer.

I strongly encourage all accounting students to take advantage of opportunities like this. Whether it’s participating in your school’s accounting club, getting involved with the MTCPA, or volunteering through a VITA program, these experiences not only build your skills but also create lasting memories.

-Abi Grotbo
MSU class of 2026