Cross-Cultural Solutions is honored to participate in a rigorous scientific study conducted by the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis, and funded by the Ford Foundation.
The recent growth in popularity of international volunteering has led to more of a demand for volunteer-sending organizations to document the effectiveness of their service. However, there is a lack of research on this growing field. As a response to this demand, Washington University launched the study — the most rigorous ever conducted — aimed at assessing the impact of international volunteering on volunteers, organizations, and the communities they serve.
In June 2010, lead researchers from Washington University unveiled new scientific findings from the study: volunteers return from abroad with increased international awareness, stronger international connections, and new outlooks on how to integrate a global view into their careers.
Initial Findings
The study’s first report, issued in May 2009, focuses on the perceived effects of international volunteering on returned CCS volunteers. Initial findings cover 10 areas related to volunteer outcomes including motivations for volunteering, perceived effectiveness of volunteer activities, intercultural understanding, employment prospects and performance, and potential challenges of volunteering.
On average, 95 percent of the respondents were satisfied with their volunteer experience. Many respondents concluded that volunteering internationally changed the course of their lives, frequently mentioning that their experience led to:
- Changes in their educational or career trajectories
- Intercultural knowledge and understanding
- Lifelong friendships
- An increased appreciation for life
- A stronger commitment to service
Alumni also frequently claimed that they experienced a period of reevaluation during their volunteer experience which gave them a greater appreciation for what they have, both in material and relational terms. This expression of gratitude was often connected with a commitment to share their resources with others. Overall, alumni reported learning a great deal not only about themselves but also about global issues and affairs.
Future reports, to be released in 2010 and 2011, will examine the effects of international volunteering and service on volunteer-receiving organizations and host communities. The reports will be available on the CCS website as they are released. For more information on the impact of CCS international service programs, please read the CCS Impact Assessment and select stories from our 15 years and 25,000 volunteers.
