Our Internship Program
Since 1996 and the founding of our association, over 300 interns have played a vital role in the life and growth of Reading Retreats in Rural Italy. Interns are also known as helpers, assistants, or volunteers. They have come from all walks of life, ranging from gap-year students to retirees – and from several different countries.
About the Internship
Interns must be friendly and willing to help in different ways at home. They should know how to be social and get on with people, as there will nearly always be guests, locals and friends around. Knowing Italian is not necessary, but would help with everyday work and communication. English is normally the house language most guests have in common.
A passion for something such as cooking or gardening will come in handy, as helpers will be expected to work at various activities while at La Macchina Fissa; preparing meals, looking after guests, cleaning, weeding and watering the garden, running errands, arranging events, some physical labour and helping with marketing and paperwork. Interns usually work six hours a day, but are encouraged to take one or two days off a week to see a little more of Italy. Mantova is less than 30 minutes away, and Venice, Verona, Bologna, Milan, and the lake region are all possible day trips.
Key Activities
- Welcoming guests and helping them with their luggage; offering them something to drink.
- Supporting the organization during cultural events and guest activities; moving tables and chairs.
- Helping care for the garden, outdoor spaces, and shared environment.
- Cooking and cleaning and assisting with daily tasks, including simple maintenance and animal care.
- Helping with paperwork and the accounting.
- Fetching tools and supplies, and putting them away. (It's endless!)
- Visiting museums and gardens with Clark & Co.
- Learning some basic Italian and classic pasta dishes!
From One to Three Months;
Not Less, Probably Not More.
We welcome applications year-round. If you are passionate about books, music, plants, animals, cooking, nature, and community living, we would love to hear from you. But first, please read this website.
Suggested Donation
A suggested donation of €30 per night helps support the association and includes travel from (and to) the nearby train station or airport, accommodation, and three meals a day.
Photos of Interns
Our Interns
They have been students, alumni, or faculty at universities
including College of the Atlantic, Dublin Institute of Technology,
Georgetown University, St. John’s College, Harvard University,
National University of Ireland, Oxford University, Stanford
University, Saint Mary’s University, Swarthmore College, University
of Western Ontario, University of Pennsylvania, Penn State
University, Princeton University, University of Chicago, George
Mason University, Fordham University, Lake Forest College,
Middlebury College, University of Connecticut, Trinity College, and
Cardiff University.
Over the past decade, many gap year helpers have arrived through Holly
Bull, the president of Center for Interim Programs.
Apply for an Internship
Tell us about your preferred dates, duration, and motivation. We review each application personally and we will get in touch with you. If you do not hear from us within two weeks, do as you would when no one answers the door; knock again, and knock louder!