I recently had the incredible opportunity to volunteer for a research expedition aboard SY Waya Waya, while doing my Bachelor's Thesis. The combination of scientific discovery, hands-on learning, and the sheer adventure of sailing made it an experience I’ll never forget.
This experience was unlike anything I’d done before. Our primary mission was to collect data on marine ecosystems, with different focuses (e.g., plastic pollution, seagrass, marine mammals, etc.]. From deploying sampling equipment to recording observations, every task felt meaningful and contributed to the larger goal of understanding and protecting our oceans.
As someone with a passion for marine science but limited field experience, I was thrilled by how much I could learn in such a short term. The crew was knowledgeable and always willing to explain the methodology and provide guidance. Whether it was learning to identify species, analyze water samples, or handle data, I came away with practical skills and a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of marine research.
Living on a sailboat was an adventure in itself. It wasn’t always easy (eg., unpredictable weather) but they paled in comparison to the beauty of sunsets at sea, dolphins riding the bow and the satisfaction of contributing to important work. The people who also participated in the same program had a similar vibe to me and were open to making friends making it easy to get along, have fun and work together during our stay
