Airbnb is giving four lucky individuals the chance to spend three months living the Italian dream in a southern Italian village. Moreover, as part of the Italian Sabbatical, participants will spend the summer immersing themselves in small-town life in Grottole. This village with just 300 inhabitants—and over 600 empty homes—will play host to its guests, who will learn the language and local culture during their sojourn.

Furthermore, in collaboration with Wonder Grottole, a local NGO that promotes urban regeneration, the program is looking for four people to volunteer as Experience as well as Home hosts for three months. By transforming from tourists into temporary citizens, the sabbatical participants will help breath new life into the village and become ambassadors for local culture.

Along the way, they’ll have the support of locals, who will open their doors and share their skills. Whether helping tend to the community garden—and then cooking a delicious meal from the harvest—or learning how to make olive oil, this is an unparalleled chance to experience a true slice of rural Italy.

Applications are open until February 17, 2019 at 11:59 pm CET. Interested parties can apply via the Italian Sabbatical website, where they’ll be asked a series of questions about why they’re a good fit for the position. All applicants must be over 18 years old,

Eligibility

1. Candidates for the sabbatical must be over 18.
2. Have a valid passport
3. Be a resident of one of the following countries: U.S., Mexico, Argentina (except for the province of Mendoza), Italy, U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Australia, India, or Japan.
4. Must be available to move to Grottole for three months from June to August 2019 and will be volunteering for the NGO ‘Wonder Grottole’.
5. Must be able to speak good conversational English and open to learning a new language during the trip. Italian would be a plus.
6. Applicants will also need to demonstrate their commitment to contribute to village life in Grottole.

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