Application phase

The program targets young leaders and students in the final stage of their studies (both bachelor and master). We also try to create a homogenous group in terms of age. However, applicants aged 29-30 might be considered as well.

Because it is the minimum age students might obtain their bachelor (considering the different national educational systems). Apart from their ages, applicants must be graduated.

If you have more specific questions or you couldn’t find an answer either on the website or on the call for participants, you can write to [email protected] and the International Relations staff will answer.

The call opens every year in Autumn and closes around February. Every year the call is open to applicants coming from specific countries and areas, which are detailed on the website: https://callforparticipants.rondine.org/.

Yes, if you complete your bachelor by the beginning of the program (check the starting date either on the call for participants or on the website, timeline section). You are not eligible if you must complete more than one year of your bachelor’s degree.

No. The program includes an academic part that requires at least a bachelor’s degree. If you are doing your bachelor, please check “Can I apply if I am doing my bachelor?”

Yes. Even if you already have a master’s degree, you will enroll in a master (or equivalent course) while in Rondine, as part of the World House program.

Yes. You must complete it by the beginning of the World House program (check the starting date either on the call for participants or on the website, timeline section) or, if you have such possibility, to pause your studies and complete the master once you finish the program in Italy.

No. It is not possible to continue studying for a master’s degree that you were completing in your home country while being part of the Rondine program. Nor it is possible to transfer credits to an Italian University to complete said degree.

Once in Rondine, you will take part in several activities that have an impact on civil society (individuals, schools, organizations…), and that you will work to develop a project that aims to fulfill a need of your community. The civic engagement area of the Program also includes fellows’ participation in voluntary and community service activities organized by and proposed for the benefit of the Associazione Rondine. As an example: welcome Rondine’s guests such as donors, professors, institutional representatives, members of other organizations, and anyone interested in getting to know Rondine; conduct educational activities for groups (students or adults); media interviews; share your own testimonies about the experience at Rondine in public events; activities for the care of Rondine’s campus; actively work for the well-being and development of the Rondine Community.

English is not a precondition to be accepted to the World House program. However, a good level of English is desirable for a profitable participation.

No. Applicants’ level of English does not impact on the candidate evaluation.

We start from scratch. The program will begin with an online course run from July to September to learn the basics of Italian language (level A2). It goes on with a 3-month residential intensive course in Italian language and culture. After that course, Italian becomes the official language for communication and activities in Rondine for every fellow. Selected candidates that already know Italian must participate in the course as well.

Italian course is an integral part of the World House program. Rondine can offer Italian courses to groups (not individuals). If you are interested, please write to [email protected]

You should fill in the application form. Send it on time with all the documents needed and you should be available for an individual interview.

Application form, copy of passport, motivation letter, curriculum, project proposal form, recommendation letter, Notice on Personal Data Protection and copy of driving license (if available).
You should send the required documents to [email protected] or via the application section at https://callforparticipants.rondine.org/.
The selection of participants includes the following phases: application form which the candidate has to complete and send before the indicated deadline, attaching all of the required documents, pre-selection (can include online aptitude tests), individual interview, and Italian test.

The candidate will be interviewed to verify their motivation to carry out the experience of the World House. The interview explores different areas such as personal characteristics, aptitude to living in a community, management of emotions, relationship and involvement with the conflict, the socio-political situation in their area and with the “enemy”, proposed project, and future perspectives. The interview can be in-person, conducted in the candidate’s Country, or online.

The Italian test is the last selection step. The selection committee sends applicants a list of topics and suggested materials to self-study Italian (A1 level). Each candidate will have around 2 months to study before the test. After the individual interviews, shortlisted candidates only will be invited for the Italian test. It may include tests on reading, speaking, listening, and grammar skills. Since we expect selected candidates to reach the A1 level individually, the online course (July-September) is A2 level.

The form serves to present the candidate’s idea on their personal and professional vocation. We also ask the candidate to submit a draft project having a social impact in their region. Those are the starting points for the project design module in the Impact semester at the end of the program.

Where can I find it? The Notice on Personal Data Protection is a form that makes us compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679. If you do not sign it, we cannot process your personal data and, consequently, we cannot consider you as an applicant. You can find the form attached to the call for participants, in the final pages.

Yes. You can submit the copy in the following selection stage. A copy of your ID card might substitute the passport during the selection phase.

Yes. You can submit a copy of your expired passport and later send a copy of the renewed one.

Yes. You can submit the copy in the following selection stage. A transcript of records or other documents issued by the university can substitute the diploma during the selection phase.

Yes. You can submit a recommendation letter as soon as you receive it. Remind that you need at least one recommendation letter (by a university professor, or a supervisor of a non-profit organization in which you are engaged) in order to complete your application.

Yes. A driving license is not mandatory to participate in the program.

Yes. You can convert your driving license into an International Driving Permit if you are selected, before your arrival to Italy. See also “Can fellows drive?”, Life in Rondine section.

Once a participant is selected and formally accepts to participate in the program, the International Relations Office provides letters and other papers needed in order to apply for the visa and other required documents. The International Relations Office may also be the connection between participants and the Italian diplomatic delegations in their country if any concern arises. Selected fellows must collect information related to specific procedures required by the Italian consular section in their country. They cover costs related to visa and other documents.

Scholarship

The scholarship covers:

  • Accommodation – Participants live in Rondine, a medieval village in Tuscany. All
    fellows must live in the program’s facilities normally in a shared room with
    another participant
  • Meals – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered by the Rondine Locanda (Inn)
  • Master – tuition fee, transportation, meals, materials
  • Intensive Italian course
  • Expenses related to Rondine activities – transportation, meals, accommodation,
    materials
  • Health insurance, residence permit and registration in the Italian Health Care System

Personal expenses such as hygiene, cosmetics, medical, travels (to and from Italy), leisure. Special projects may have different conditions regarding economic aspects.

No, the program does not provide participants with personal pocket money.
The program does not allow its participants to work throughout the program.

Yes, we offer accommodation; the participants will be hosted in double bedrooms in the houses of the medieval village of Rondine.

World House program

The World House is an international experience of training and civic engagement for conflict transformation.

Yes, the trial period lasts three months (September-December), at the end of which candidates that are deemed eligible will be officially accepted into the World House. During this period, candidates will take part in an intensive course in Italian language and culture, group building activities and in meetings with the staff to acquire the fundamentals of the Rondine Method. These three months are aimed at verifying the motivation and personal attitudes of the participant. The assessment is carried out through the observation of the staff during the activities, the progress shown in the Italian language course and individual interviews.

The first three months in Rondine are dedicated to an intense Italian language course, getting to know each other, group building activities, and acquiring the fundamentals of the Rondine Method. Normally, the program is very dynamic and depends on the group’s Master studies schedule. In general, a typical day starts at 9:00 and finishes around 18:00. Usually, fellows are in Rondine at the beginning of the week for training and classes. Other days are dedicated to guests or groups visiting Rondine, Master lectures and collaboration with Rondine offices. Sometimes there are events, meetings and activities during weekends too.

Yes. The program and most of the activities are in Italian. Italian is also important because participants will be able to have a new common language to discuss their conflicts.

The core of the program is the creative transformation of conflicts. This occurs at individual, relational, and social levels through conviviality, formal and non-formal education, engagement in public and institutional events, as well as involvement in volunteer activities.

Yes. All participants are required to participate.

Their everyday life is based on contact with other participants coming from different countries. Cohabitation is a process that over time leads to the deconstruction of the idea of the enemy and to the uncovering of a real person behind that. Participants also receive high-level training on topics related to conflict management, communication abilities, and methodologies. The third part of the program is a professional and academic specialization, which includes participation in a master course or other school of high professionalization.

The activities are of various types and include institutional visits and events, meetings with schools and associations, participation in conferences, trips, volunteering.

The idea of Rondine is to take your new knowledge back home. After having completed the program in Rondine, participants of the World House return to their countries of origin ready to act in different socio-cultural contexts. They have the right to join Rondine International Peace Lab (R-IPL), the network of Rondine alumni. R-IPL provides support to former fellows in realizing development projects targeting peacebuilding. They can also be selected to join the “Social Impact Semester” (see also “What is the Social Impact Semester”?, World House program section).

During the entire program, Rondine staff periodically interviews fellows to assess their proactivity and involvement in the program, presence and punctuality, proficiency in the Italian language, motivation, management of relationships within the World House. The fellows are also asked at the end of each phase (trial period, first semester, second semester) to produce a written self-assessment document. The objective of the interviews is to evaluate whether the fellow’s progress aligns with the objectives of the Rondine program. If their progress does not meet the program requirements or commitment, Rondine reserves the right to terminate their participation.

It is an additional 6-month training offered to some World House fellows at the end of the regular program. It lasts from January to June and includes additional training on project writing and project management, plus the possibility to connect with potential donors and extend the fellows’ stakeholder network.

No, the Social Impact Semester is an additional semester offered to those World House fellows who, during the program, showed a specific interest in social projects and impact-making to be combined with the Rondine Method. Rondine grants the same economic conditions to fellows in the Social Impact Semester. See also “What does the scholarship cover”, Scholarship section.

No. It used to be a full 2-year program until 2023. Fellows selected for the 2022-2024 and 2023-2025 editions follow the previous program and timeline. Since 2024, the World House program lasts 18 months.

Academics

You can study a First Level Executive Master (M1 – Master di I livello) in universities in Tuscany. Rondine provides a list of eligible masters (attached to the call for participants and at link).

Applicants are invited to select 2 options (searching for more details directly on each master’s website) at the application phase. Later, candidates can review their choice, which will be agreed upon with the educational staff and finalized at the signature of the Learning and Participation Agreement, to confirm acceptance to the World House program.

No. Eligible masters must meet the following conditions:

    • offered by Universities in Tuscany 
    • one year, part-time basis (Monday-Friday masters are not compatible with the Program) 
    • maximum fee: € 4000

Universitaly updates the list as soon as Universities renew their academic offer for the following year. Generally, Masters and their conditions do not change substantially from one year to another, therefore you can base your choice upon the current offer. If any major changes occur after your choice, so that the Master does not meet eligibility conditions anymore, you will discuss your options with the World House staff.

Universities updates their websites as soon as they renew their academic offer for the following year (usually in July). Generally, masters and their conditions do not change substantially from one year to another, therefore you can base your choice upon the current offer. If any major changes occur after your choice, so that the master does not meet eligibility conditions anymore, you will discuss your options with the World House staff.

No. In order to obtain a visa, fellows must pre-enroll on the Universitaly platform (https://www.universitaly.it/index.php/). When the chosen University accepts the pre-enrollment request, Italian consular services are allowed to issue a visa, so there is no possibility to change the master.

Fellows who would like to attend medical studies are not advised to apply due to the differences between regulations by the Italian Ministry of Education and other respective Ministries in their home countries.

Life in Rondine

No. Rondine offers a shared life experience for individuals and requires an exclusive commitment from all of its participants to live in the program’s campus. There is no option to live outside the campus and normally participants live in rooms for two.

Rondine is the name of a medieval Tuscan hamlet, 12 kilometers away from Arezzo, Italy: here, Rondine association develops its main projects for education and professional experience.
Arezzo is the closest city and it is about 20 minutes drive from the village. There is public transportation between 6:00-20:00 and in addition, the program offers two cars for the participants’ use.

We provide tickets for the buses and we have 2 cars that fellows who have an international license can use.

To drive in Italy, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. It is any valid, required by law identity document that allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle in any country or jurisdiction that recognizes IDPs. To be valid, the IDP must be accompanied by a valid driving license issued in the holder’s country of citizenship. Selected candidates already having a driving license, shall obtain the IDP before their arrival in Rondine. For additional information: https://internationaldrivingpermit.org/

Cars are for the shared use of all fellows, so before using them for personal reasons you must ask both the other participants of the World House and the staff. In this case, participants will pay for fuel expenses. The use of the car for Rondine activities is although a priority.

Fines incurred by WH participants are paid by them, even if they were performing an activity for Rondine. Adhering to the traffic code is a personal responsibility.

Around 30, 15 coming each year.

Usually, two people share the same room but we also have a couple of single rooms (not available at fellows’ choice or request)

Rondine welcomes and tries to satisfy all dietary needs. Locanda (the Rondine Inn) offers a buffet, providing multiple choices, therefore you can choose what suits you. However, if your needs are very specific and you follow strict dietary rules, you might encounter some limits and difficulties. Locanda prepares meals for a numerous, diverse community, and it is hard to accommodate individual, peculiar requests. Rondine does its best effort to provide less common ingredients (at least in the Italian cuisine), but sometimes the organization’s suppliers do not have them available.

Only at breakfast as having meals all together is a part of the program. That’s why fellows are requested to eat at the Rondine Inn (Locanda). Locanda provides lunch and dinner for the fellows and staff in Rondine.

Participants can use the common laundry room to wash their laundry.

Rondine provides an insurance card for each fellow.

Fellows come from different areas around the world for example Balkans, Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and South America.

Fellows have around 2 weeks off at Catholic Christmas and New Year time, Catholic Easter time and around one month in summer. Each year the World House staff set holiday dates and communicate them to fellows in advance.

You can take up to 10 days off each year, additionally to the regular holidays. The use of these days must be agreed upon with the World House staff. Authorization may be declined if there are significant institutional or educational events.

They can. Your family is welcome, and your relatives (parents, siblings, partners and children), in the maximum number of 2 at the same time, can be accommodated at the guest house in Rondine for a maximum period of one week each for each year of stay of the fellow. The relatives during their stay are also hosted for meals at the inn. Guests of fellows other than relatives as indicated above can be accommodated at the guest house in Rondine by agreeing with the World House staff at least 15 days in advance. Because the WH is managed by a voluntary organization and that the management of the house for guests still entails costs, for guests of fellows other than relatives, a contribution will be asked for accommodation and meals in the inn.

Yes. The “World House rules” include guidelines and information. The staff will introduce the document to participants in detail during the trial period.