Abstract
Although increasingly popular, international/global service-learning programs are not without critique; in fact, the role of crossing national borders in service-learning is highly contested. The purpose of the study discussed in this article was to explore this role of crossing borders within the context of a particular experience: participation in an alternative break (AB) program. The authors sought to understand whether there is an aspect of learning in specific places, namely learning across national borders, that is separate (and separable) from what happens in those places. Participants reported a high level of influence of their AB experience on both their intentions to volunteer and to travel internationally, although there were a number of differences between students who participated in domestic and international ABs. Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between program location and the influence of the AB on students’ plans to volunteer was mediated completely by features of the AB program itself, while the relationship between program location and the influence of the AB on students’ plans to travel internationally was only partially mediated by program features.
Highlights
International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement Volume 5 Issue 1 | 2017 | ISSN: 2374-9466 | http://journals.sfu.ca/iarslce
There is a vast array of outcomes associated with domestic service-learning, I/global servicelearning (GSL), and alternative break (AB), this study focused on the extent to which students reported that their AB experience influenced their intentions to volunteer or travel abroad
We found that participants reported a high level of influence of their AB experience on both their intentions to volunteer and to travel internationally—on a scale of 0 to 4, 83.5% of participants indicated a substantial influence of the AB on their intentions to volunteer, and 53.6% indicated a substantial influence of the AB on their intentions to travel internationally
Summary
International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement Volume 5 Issue 1 | 2017 | ISSN: 2374-9466 | http://journals.sfu.ca/iarslce. Mediation analysis showed that the relationship between program location and the influence of the AB on students’ plans to volunteer was mediated completely by features of the AB program itself, while the relationship between program location and the influence of the AB on students’ plans to travel internationally was only partially mediated by program features Throughout their history, institutions of higher education have engaged in international and cross-border activities (Altbach, 2004; de Wit, 2002); yet, social, political, and economic changes over the past few decades have repositioned higher education institutions within a broader context of globalization. Some arguments in support of the value of both international and domestic crosscultural experiences are valid, little empirical research has isolated the specific role crossing national
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
