Airbnb, the global accommodation rental company, is offering an extraordinary opportunity for five adventurous individuals to embark on a month-long, all-expenses-paid journey to the isolated continent of Antarctica. Dubbed the 'Antarctic Sabbatical,' this program is a collaboration between Airbnb and the non-profit advocacy group, Ocean Conservancy.
Scheduled for December, the five volunteers, accompanied by Antarctic scientist Kirstie Jones-Williams, will travel to the southernmost continent to study and research the environmental impact of human activity in the region. Antarctica, a landmass encompassing the South Pole, is almost entirely situated within the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.
In a press release, Airbnb described the trip as "an unprecedented opportunity for five passionate individuals to travel to Earth's most remote continent." Jones-Williams stated, "This expedition will be hard work, with scientific rigor required in the harshest of winter conditions. We're looking for passionate individuals with a global citizen mindset, who are enthusiastic about being part of a team and bringing our findings back home to share with the world."
The chosen "citizen scientist volunteers" will collect snow samples and investigate the extent to which microplastics have reached Antarctica. While no formal qualifications are required, Airbnb seeks individuals with a spirit of adventure, a commitment to the environment, and a willingness to apply for the program.
Applicants 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, UAE, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, or the United States.
While Indonesia is not on the list, residents are still eligible to apply by selecting their country of residence from the available options, which include nations beyond those specified.
Participants must be able to communicate in English and will undergo training in Punta Arenas, Chile, before the Antarctic expedition. This training will cover glaciology (the study of the physical and chemical properties of ice and snow), field sampling techniques, and equipment handling.
After completing their fieldwork in Antarctica, the volunteers will return to Chile to analyze their findings. During the journey, they will have opportunities to visit the South Pole and other Antarctic sites.
Typically, personal trips to Antarctica are quite expensive, with 10-day tours costing around
000
5,000(approximatelyRp70million)ormoreforluxuryexpeditionsexceeding50,000 (over Rp 709 million).
The 'Antarctic Sabbatical' is part of a broader Airbnb initiative aimed at encouraging people to take career breaks to complete community projects. Previously, the company launched the 'Italian Sabbatical' program, sending five individuals to revitalize the village of Grottole in Italy, which attracted over 280,000 applicants worldwide.