Module 2: Understanding Motivations for Participation in International Experiential Learning
Module 2: Understanding Motivations for Participation in International Experiential Learning
“The need for a better understanding of the motivations has also been noted by Majid Rahnema (1997) who has called for field workers, activists, and other Northern players in the development field to interrogate their deeper motivations for their actions, because ‘often they knew neither the people they were working with, nor themselves’ (p.392)”. - Tiessen, R 2012
Motivations for Participating in International Experiential Learning
Why do we volunteer/study abroad? What attracts students to seek out international learning experiences when these experiences cost a significant amount of money in the context of a student budget? Understanding why people travel abroad to volunteer and/or learn is crucial to an understanding of the practice in general. More specifically, as noted by Tiessen, an understanding of motivations will allow for improvements in how to manage volunteers, better the volunteers’ experiences, and evaluate if volunteers’ intents are in line with their impacts (2012). This is especially important in light of how fast the industry of volunteer/study abroad has grown in recent years. The literature on motivations for volunteering/learning abroad tends to distinguish volunteers’ motives as being either altruistic or self-centric/personal in nature. As you will learn from the readings, studying motivations is complex in nature as motivations change. There are also various dimensions to motivations such as push and pull factors that can contribute to why we are motivated to going abroad. As the quote above suggests, understanding our own motivations can be difficult to assess, therefore, understanding other’s motivations is a greater challenge. Throughout the readings ask yourself what motivates you? Why were you motivated to take this course? Have you participated in an international experiential learning (volunteer and/or study abroad)? Why did you choose to go? What motivated you to choose your destination? Thinking through your own motivations can give you an idea of some of the challenges researchers face when trying to understand motivations, something of which offers important insights into the industry of volunteer/learn abroad programs. Motivations are also important in thinking critically about the practice of volunteering abroad or international experiential learning opportunities. Tiessen’s contributions to our understanding of motivations provides a deep analysis into student’s motivations and how they are connected to other factors, such as our colonial past and the growth industry. Some of the authors provide a more critical analysis than others in this module, however, all readings contribute interesting and important insights into our understanding of why people are motivated to go abroad for reasons of volunteering, studying, and/or learning.
Module 3 Required Readings:
In Globetrotting or Global Citizenship? Perils and Potential of International Experiential Learning edited by Rebecca Tiessen and Robert Huish, 2014, University of Toronto Press.
Chapter 4 by Tiessen - Career Aspirations and Experiential Learning Abroad: Perspectives from Canadian Youth on Short-term Placements
Tiessen, R. (2012). Motivations for learn/volunteer abroad programs: Research with Canadian youth. Journal of Global Citizenship and Equity Education. 2(1), 1-21.
Optional Readings:
Grimm, K. and Needham, M. (2014). Moving beyond the “I” in motivation: Attributes and perceptions of conservation volunteer tourists. Journal of Travel and Research. 51(4). 488-501.
Soderman N. and Snead, S. (2008). Opening the gap: The motivation of gap year travellers to volunteer in Latin America. In Lyons, K. and Wearing, S. (Eds.) Journeys of Discovery in Volunteer Tourism. 118-129.
Activities:
Make a list of your motivations. If you have been abroad, think back to what you think motivated you. If you are interested in going abroad, think about why and what is motivating you. If you don’t want to go abroad think about why and your motivations for staying within your own country.
Discussion Questions:
Do the motivations discussed in the readings reflect thick or thin forms of global citizenship?
Do you think it is possible to truly know what motivates us at a given time?
How do you think privilege influences or affects our motivations to go abroad for the purpose of volunteering/learning?
Do you think images and discourse that promotes international experiential learning programs, influences student’s motivations?