Service Learning As Community Development? Local Resident Perspectives of Community-engaged Educational Travel

Abstract

There is strong body of literature exploring community member and resident perspectiveson tourism that has emerged from numerous locations across the globe. Yet, virtuallynone of this writing explores the role of repeat community-engaged service learning withlocal communities. What theory does exist on the topic indicates that increased rates ofcommunity member participation yield more positive viewpoints on community-programpartnerships. Engagement in this form of tourism development in communities may havean influence on participation in the community institutions that have the most ability toinfluence local development outcomes. This qualitative, ethnographic study fills this gapin the literature by analyzing community members’ emic perspectives of a recurringeducational service learning program to a lesser-developed region of Costa Rica.Surprisingly, community residents do not view educational service learning as a form oftourism, though they do see it as valuable for setting the stage for desired tourismdevelopment in the future. Findings also indicate community members’ involvement inkey institutions makes it more likely that they perceive the impact of students’ in thecommunity positively. As the first paper to analyze educational service-learning travelfrom a community development and resident perspective, this work will provide avaluable theoretical contribution relevant to those engaged in this form of travel acrossthe Global South.

Quintais produtivos em periferias urbanas: O caso do Projeto Emancipação Social a partir da Soberania Alimentar

“…Para isso, utilizamos o método Desenvolvimento Comunitário Baseado em Ativos (ou, como estamos abordando, Desenvolvimento Comunitário Baseado em Potenciais Locais). Essa abordagem privilegia o que há na comunidade em termos de talentos locais e ativos naturais (Mustalahti et al, 2020;Habashy & Hunt, 2021), e foi adaptada para a realidade local. A partir de reuniões, lideradas por uma discente do Mestrado Profissional em Ensino de Humanidades que fez parte da equipe, produzimos dados buscando responder a três questões centrais: 1) O que a comunidade faz de melhor?…”

Kolaborasi Bersama Menuju Pendidikan Berkualitas: Pengalaman Penerapan Service Learning di Sekolah Menengah Atas

“…Penerapan Service Learning memiliki dampak positif pada prestasi akademik siswa, yang mengarah pada peningkatan nilai dan pengembangan keterampilan belajar (Habashy & Hunt, 2021). Terlibat dalam beragam proyek pengabdian masyarakat tidak hanya meningkatkan keterampilan akademik tetapi juga mendorong pengembangan keterampilan interpersonal, kepemimpinan, dan kolaborasi yang penting untuk sukses di dunia nyata.…”

A novel instrument for the community-centered assessment of outcomes resulting from visits by foreign student groups

“…Community-centred impact assessments of CBGL programs have typically relied on focus groups, structured or semi-structured interviews, or open-ended response questionnaires to gather community views and opinions (Blouin & Perry 2009;Choudhary & Jesiek 2016;Goemans et al 2018;Grain et al 2019;Habashy & Hunt 2021;Haines & Lambaria 2018;Jordaan & Mennega 2021;Kindred 2020;Miron & Moely 2006;Reynolds 2014Reynolds , 2019Sweatman & Warner 2020). Although these methodologies are completely appropriate for this type of assessment and can provide feedback that is rich in detail, they are not without limitations.…”