Airbnb, the global accommodation rental company, is offering a unique opportunity for five volunteers to embark on a month-long, all-expenses-paid expedition to the isolated continent of Antarctica. Dubbed the 'Antarctic Sabbatical,' this program is a collaboration between Airbnb and the non-profit organization Ocean Conservancy.
Scheduled for December, the five selected volunteers, accompanied by Antarctic scientist Kirstie Jones-Williams, will travel to the southernmost continent to study and research the environmental impact of human activities in the region.
Antarctica, a landmass encompassing the South Pole, is almost entirely encircled by the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
In a press release, Airbnb described the expedition as "an unprecedented opportunity for five passionate people to travel to the most remote continent on Earth."
"This expedition will be hard work, with scientific rigor required in the most unforgiving of winter conditions. We're looking for passionate individuals with a global citizen mindset, who are excited to be part of a team and to return home and share our findings with the world," said Jones-Williams, as quoted by CNBC International.
The chosen "citizen scientist volunteers" will collect snow samples and investigate the extent to which microplastics have reached Antarctica.
No formal qualifications are required to be considered for these positions. Instead, Airbnb seeks individuals with a spirit of adventure, a passion for the environment, and a willingness to apply for the program.
However, candidates must be over 18 years old and reside in one of the following countries or regions: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
While Indonesia is not explicitly listed, residents of the country are still eligible to apply, as there is an option to select countries not included in the provided list.
Additionally, applicants who will be traveling for one month between November and December 2019 must be proficient in English.
Before embarking on the Antarctic journey, participants will undergo training in Punta Arenas, Chile, to complete courses on glaciology (the study of the physical and chemical properties of ice and snow) and field sampling, as well as equipment practicals and drills.
Upon completing the field research, they will return to Chile to analyze their findings.
During the expedition, volunteers will have opportunities to visit the South Pole and other Antarctic sites.
Typically, personal trips to Antarctica can be quite expensive. A 10-day tour can cost around
5,000(approximatelyRp70million,assuminganexchangerateofRp14,100perUSdollar),whilealuxuriousvacationcouldcostmorethan50,000 (over Rp 709 million).
The 'Antarctic Sabbatical' is part of a broader initiative launched by Airbnb, which the company claims is designed to encourage people to take career breaks to complete community projects.
Previously, Airbnb introduced the 'Italian Sabbatical' program, sending five individuals to revitalize the village of Grottole in Italy. Over 280,000 people from around the world applied for the three-month journey, which concluded in August 2019