Predictors of Interpersonal Growth in Volunteer Tourism: A Latent Curve Approach

Finding oneself while discovering others: An existential perspective on volunteer tourism in Thailand

“…Volunteers are therefore wedded to certain aspects of everyday life-including the feeling that they are 'living like a local' with daily routines and responsibilities-even as they remain removed from some of the less attractive dimensions of everyday life such as paying bills, finding a place to live, or being stuck in a job that brings little joy or novelty. Moreover, while some studies point to the long-term transformative impacts of volunteering on individuals (Bailey & Russell, 2010;McGehee & Santos, 2005), the vast majority of volunteers interviewed for this research question the degree to which their experiences will translate into momentous lifestyle changes back home. Thus, even though this paper argues that the pursuit of existential authenticity remains an important yet underexplored dimension of volunteer tourism, it would be a stretch to claim that short-term community service performed by volunteers in Thailand leads to the same existential outcomes as truly disruptive or traumatic experiences, many of which do indeed produce permanent alterations in values or life choices.…”

“…McGehee and Santos (2005) argue that the distinctiveness of volunteer tourism helps to explain why it provides opportunities for consciousness-raising, while Coghlan and Gooch (2011, p. 716) treat volunteer tourism as a form of transformative learning, which ''changes problematic sets of reference to frames of reference that are more inclusive, discriminating, open, reflective and emotionally able to change." Much of the discussion of volunteer tourism's ability to foster personal transformation emphasizes the substantial and long-lasting impacts of the experience on the lives of volunteers (Bailey & Russell, 2010).…”

Motivation-based transformative learning and potential volunteer tourists: facilitating more sustainable outcomes

“…As Zahra and McIntosh (2007) discovered, many participants expect volunteer tourism to serve as a cathartic experience, one that would create positive changes in their lives. Others found expectations of increased openness, civic attitudes, and wisdom (Bailey & Russell, 2010); and an enhanced self-awareness from improved personal reflection (Lepp, 2008). McDonald and Wilson (2013) discovered that volunteer tourists expect their trip to help them develop skills and experience that will improve their chances of finding employment.…”

Volunteer Tourism and Intercultural Sensitivity: The Role of Interaction with Host Communities

“…Bailey & Russell, 2010;Coghlan & Gooch, 2011). Bailey and Russell (2010), for instance, documented that volunteer tourism experience had a positive long-term impact on participants' civic attitudes, openness, and wisdom.…”