Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Information for International Visitors

     Welcome to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).  We hope that you and your family will have a pleasant trip to Woods Hole and a comfortable and productive stay.  WHOI is located on two campuses in the village of Woods Hole, one of several villages in the Town of Falmouth.  We are located on Cape Cod, in the state of Massachusetts, approximately 2 hours south of Boston, the capital of Massachusetts.

     The information in this brochure may help as you plan your visit to WHOI.  Because we are located in a resort area, living costs in the Falmouth/Woods Hole area are high for the United States.  It is important that you plan your expenses before coming to WHOI.  Individual tastes and needs vary widely, making it difficult to predict exact expenses.  The following pages will provide some idea of what it will cost to live in the vicinity of Woods Hole.

<Housing>

     Finding suitable housing for yourself and your family will be your first concern.  WHOI has an office to assist you.  The address is Housing Office, MS #31, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543-1120 (Tel:(508)289-2389).  Most newcomers need a week of concentrated searching to locate suitable accommodations, so it is wise to arrive at WHOI in advance of your appointment to have time to look.  Individuals must make their own rental arrangements, preferably in person, with the owner or owner's agent.  Temporary on-campus housing may be available during your community housing search except during summer months.  There are many ways to find an apartment or house in the Falmouth/Woods Hole area, but the simplest way is to see a realtor or real estate agent.  The WHOI Housing Office can provide a listing of realtors along with other rental sources at their  web page – http://www.whoi.edu/housing.  Realty offices maintain lists of apartments and houses and will try to match your needs and budget.  They will also arrange appointments for you or will show places to you personally.

     Housing costs vary widely depending on location, amenities included, and condition and size of dwelling.  Rentals usually do not include heat, hot water, or utilities.  Some apartments are furnished, but almost none are air-conditioned.  Most landlords require one or two months' rent in advance plus a security deposit.

     Because we are a summer resort area, housing accommodations vary, depending upon the season, in terms of availability and price.  The summer season is the most expensive.  Institution housing is available only to our WHOI/MIT students and Summer Student Fellows during the summer season.  Some WHOI housing units may be available to guests from mid-September to May 1.  They vary in price depending upon the unit.  If our housing is unavailable, the Institution's Housing Coordinator can assist you by providing listings of accommodations in the community; however, we cannot preselect community housing nor make any rental arrangements for you.  The village of Woods Hole is very small, and suitable housing in the village is in great demand and difficult to find.  We urge you to look for housing outside of the village.

<Banking>

     It is a good idea to have a bank draft forwarded from your own country, in advance if possible, to a local bank in order to cover initial expenses.  You may then wire funds in U.S. dollars to the bank in which you have made arrangements with.  Some local banks are:

Plymouth Savings Bank
117 Main Street 548-3000
Compass Bank
310 Gifford Street 540-2122
Service Federal Credit Union
199 Worcester Court 548-8877
First Citizens Credit Union
352 Main Street 540-8444
Rockland Trust
20 Davis Straits 548-3500
Fleet Bank
Village Green – 84 Main Street, Falmouth
Main Street, Woods Hole 457-5933
Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank
(only non interest checking acct.)
220 Main Street 548-1615

Your money would then be payable upon proper identification.  Be sure to bring your passport to the bank and, for wiring funds, be sure to use your name exactly as it appears on your passport.  If you bring a check with you and deposit it at a local bank, it can take two to four weeks to have access to the money.  Most banks offer many different types of personal account services for checking and savings.  Traveler’s checks in U.S. currency would provide an interim source of money.

Credit Cards

It is very useful to obtain a major credit card such as VISA or MasterCard before you arrive.  Many stores honor credit cards and most car rental companies will only rent a car to you if you have a major credit card.

<Health Insurance>

     International visitors who are full-time salaried WHOI employees can enroll in one of WHOI's medical insurance plans and pay the employee's share of the premium.  Guest Investigators and Guest Students, however, are not WHOI employees and are generally unable to enroll in a WHOI insurance plan.  Such coverage should be maintained through your current employer or university.

    If you are coming to WHOI as a J-1 Exchange Visitor, you are required to have health insurance for yourself and your dependents according to the regulations set forth by the Department of State.  Minimum health insurance coverage must provide:  

·          Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;

·          In case of death, repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500.

·          In case of serious illness or injury, payment of expenses associated with medical evacuation of  the Exchange Visitor to his/her home country in the amount of $10,000: and

·          A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

     You must be willing to sign a statement upon arrival that you have health insurance or will enroll in a plan that will remain in effect for the duration of your stay at the Institution.

     If you choose to continue your out-of-country medical coverage, you may have to pay for medical service you receive in the U.S. at the time of the service and then be reimbursed by your country's medical service or insurance carrier.  Please check with your national medical service or insurance carrier regarding their claims procedures before you arrive in the U.S. in order to protect yourself and your family in the event of an illness or accident in this country.  For more information on WHOI medical coverage and health plans, contact the WHOI Human Resources Office, Nobska House, (508)289-2253; Fax: (508)457-2173.

<Taxes>

     If you receive any payment from a United States source, you must file U.S. federal and state income tax returns during your visit or after you return home.  You should check with the U.S. consulate in your country to determine whether or not you will have to pay taxes here.  If you are required to pay taxes, and your paychecks are issued through the WHOI payroll system, WHOI will withhold state and federal income tax from your salary and turn it over to the U.S. and state governments.  If your payment is issued through a WHOI system other than payroll, taxes will not be withheld, but you may have to pay taxes.  You are required to file U.S. income tax returns in either case.  An income tax treaty may exist between your country and the U.S. that would exempt you from paying income tax in the U.S.  Information about such treaties and about income tax requirements can be obtained from the WHOI Payroll Office (call ext. 2366) after you arrive.  Keep records of your income and expenditures to substantiate later claims on your tax returns, and keep copies of your income tax forms. 

     Scholars in F-1 or J-1 status do not generally pay social security tax; those in H-1 or J-2 status do pay this tax.  Social security tax is 7.65% of your salary.  This amount will not be refunded later.

<Information for Spouses>

Spouse Employment

     While the issues involving two-career couples are faced by all major employers, WHOI's responsiveness is limited due to its geographic location and to employment restrictions imposed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), (formerly known as the Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services BCIS).  Spouses and family members in J-2 visa status may request permission to work by filing an application with the USCIS showing that additional income is needed to support the J-2 spouse and family.  Those who wish to apply for J-2 employment authorization should inquire with the Foreign National Advisor.  The USCIS does not permit spouses and family members in B-2, F-2, or H-4 visa status to work in the United States.

<Child Care>

     Like most other services in this area, child care will probably cost more than you are used to paying.  It is difficult to report an average fee because programs vary.  You should plan to spend anywhere from $3 to $6 per hour per child for a child care program and about $2 to $8 per hour for occasional child care in your home.  The WHOI Child Care and Family Resource Directory lists area child care centers and providers and is available from the WHOI Human Resources Office.

     Families need to bring verified medical records for their children to prove they have been immunized.  The State of Massachusetts requires such records for children to enroll in school or to participate in child care programs.

Schooling for Children

     Your school age children are eligible to attend public schools at no cost in the town in which you live.  The school year runs from September through June, although children may enter school during the school year when you arrive.  Public school generally starts with kindergarten for children age 5, and goes through twelfth grade.  The School Department in the town in which you are living can provide registration information.

<Clothing>

     New England winters are quite cold (December - February) with daytime temperatures often dropping below 32°F (0°C) and you will need warm outer clothing and boots.  Lightweight clothing is needed for the warm, humid summers.

<Transportation>

    Woods Hole/Falmouth is accessible by bus and car with major connections through Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island.  The Bonanza Bus Line serves Woods Hole and Falmouth from downtown Boston and Boston's Logan International Airport.  Local public transportation is only available in the summer; a bicycle is feasible for getting around in Falmouth and Woods Hole, but a car is preferable.  A WHOI shuttle bus operates at no charge between the two WHOI campuses Monday - Friday.

For more information, please see the Handbook for International Visitors at:  http://www.whoi.edu/committees/international/toc.html