Written by Vidushi Dhaka, Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences, Planetary Sciences Major, Class of 2026
Date: September 26th, 2025
Arriving in Woods Hole
We arrived at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) around 6 pm. I had always pictured Woods Hole as this shiny New England place with yachts and summer homes. But standing there, it felt different. The town really revolves around science. Posters on the walls, people moving around in field gear, and laboratories tucked into corners — it all showed how research fuels this place. That made me feel like I wanted to belong here, like this is a community that values what I care about.
Parking was a small nightmare, and we were already nervous about making a good first impression. We gave Dan Orange (the co-principal investigator for this project) a quick call before meeting him in person. DanO is exactly the kind of person you notice: strong, bold voice, but also welcoming. I admire that confidence and hope I can carry it myself one day. Meeting new people in science makes me overthink every word, but I’ve realized most people don’t expect undergrads to show up as experts. They value curiosity and the willingness to try, and that’s something I can offer. That mindset helped me through that first night.
Rutgers has given me numerous opportunities to see this in action. Even though Earth and Planetary Sciences is a small department, the people are so passionate about their fields that you learn as much from their energy as from their lectures. Watching professors dedicate decades to one niche and still light up about it is something I’ll never stop being amazed by. I carried that perspective with me as we started this cruise. I’m not here to prove I know everything, but to learn and add what I can.
First Steps On Board
Stepping onto the deck for the first time was exciting and intimidating. The main lab was filled with people everywhere, 
busy but still smiling at us. The ship is large, but inside, it feels cramped and crowded. You quickly realize how many moving parts are involved in keeping everything running smoothly.
People here have their own shorthand. If you don’t catch on, you risk falling behind. My favorite term so far is calling the thin copper wire from an XBT “science glitter.” During the last leg, someone even gave it as a birthday gift, wrapped around Styrofoam. It’s silly, but it also shows how people here make light of the small things.
The crew is split into clear groups. The science team runs the projects and experiments. The technical crew—the SSGs—are the ones who fix everything and are thoroughly familiar with the instruments. The deck crew keeps the ship itself running, constantly working against rust and repairing whatever the ocean throws at us. And then the stewards, probably the most important for morale, who make the food and handle housekeeping. The food has honestly surprised me. Fresh, healthy, and balanced meals three times a day. And on top of that, “cheese 30” every afternoon with a full charcuterie board. It’s a highlight. Still, on night shifts, Izzy and I fall back on instant ramen when we need something comforting at 2 am.
You slowly figure out the layout: the mess hall (galley) is where everyone comes together, the labs are full of screens and cables, and the bunks are small but cozy once you pull the curtain. Everything feels compact but purposeful. After a couple of days, it starts to feel normal.