Join us for family life and cultural exchange in Canonica d'Adda, between Milano and Bergamo, Italy

Details

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  Description

  we are interested in practicing foreign languages and sharing italian knowledge.
  please apply only if english, german, spanish or french is your native language.
  thank you!
  
  hello, I live in the countryside with my 15 year old ‘grumpy’ son Dodo (Edoardo, I need to update the pics, he is much taller than me now)) and 2 birman cats. We have a garden and a little vegetable garden, by the river Adda. We live in Canonica d'Adda, 30km est Milan where I work in mktg and sales (biotechnology field). Canonica is a small quiet village but all facilities are there: pharmacy, supermarket, library, gym, restaurant, pizzeria and so on. Milan and Bergamo are reachable by public transportation, and Treviglio train station too. We like to cook, also veggie menue, to do outside activity like walking and cycling, we organize parties at home and often visit friends. My family lives nearby. Dodo is quite independent, he speaks english and basic french/spanish and correct italian. My cats are very gentle and my boyfriend, who spends most of time with us, also speaks fluent english and understands spanish and french. Feel free to ask any question! Roberta & Dodo

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Animal Care

  Help around the house
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  we can share our passion for italian food and culture, and teach you some italian of course, there are also italian classes for foreigners at walking distance october to may (last year the fee was just 10€). our house is filled with books (IT EN FR) and books can be borrowed for free from the public library too. we can teach cooking and cat ethology. we have been travelling quite a lot and we have a good knowledge of different cultures and approaches to daily life. please note that during summer time we normally do not spend much time at home, we may therefore not stay as many days together as in the different seasons of the year. when none of us is at home, we still offer accomodation but not meals. when we are not at home in summer, we may host more than one workawayer if you want to spend holidays in the area with a friend. school in italy is closed mid june to mid sept.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We need help with daily activities, wake up n breakfast for my son when I am not home (in order to make sure he is off in time for school), taking care of cats and cleaning/reordering the house like a family member. you may do gardening too if you like to relax outside.
  It is very important for us that our guests can independently manage and respect the house, be eco-friendly (no useless waste of water, light, paper, food etc) and be very careful with the cats as they are not allowed outside.
  In order to avoid communication issues, please apply only if you are fluent in English, French or Spanish.
  Please note that my son is a teen, in full bloom, it is a challenge to manage him and have him his tasks done at times, so sometimes the "patience of Job" is needed. He is very creative, active, independent, but he dislikes rules.
  We are willing to teach italian, but it is important for our son to learn other languages, so when he is at home we prefer not to speak full time italian with our guests. My son is stidying english, french, spanish (and latin). He can help to learn italian.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  German: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  we are interested in practicing foreign languages and sharing italian knowledge. please apply only if english, german, spanish or french is your native language. thank you!
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  Accommodation

  private room and shared kitchen, living rooms and bathroom (though we maily use the other bathrooms in the house).
  the house is on three floors plus garden (basement where we spend most of the evenings in winter, by the fireplace n two upper floors).
  wifi, smart tv (we do not watch tv but it is there).

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  What else ...

  there are several activities ongoing in the villages on the Adda river, specially in summer, or you can move to Milan, Bergamo or even farther towns you may reach by train.
  the area is very interesting for historical and natural reasons (Crespi and Venetian walls of bergamo are Unesco site, Leonardo sites, early '900 power plants, ...). there are many paths for walking, running or cycling along the river nearby.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  when I am not travelling for my job, I mainly work from home. I just need to go to the office in Milan for meetings once or twice a week. Our wifi is suitable for any kind of need (webinars, meetings, big file downloads). It can be cabled too. There are tables around the house or in the garden, many plugs and the environment is very quiet. In the village where we live there is a post office, copistery shop (but I have plenty at home) and pc repair. A scanner, printer (but please take care of the ink if you plan to print frequently), headphones, loudspeakers available too.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Please ask by message and I will find out how long campervans can be parked in the street in front of my house.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  around 3 hours a day, 5 days a week. Cats should be taken care of off duty too, if we are not at home.

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