The Role of Volunteerism on Social Integration and Adaptation of African Students at a Mid-Western University in the United States

Autor/inn/en	Manguvo, Angellar; Whitney, Stephen; Chareka, Ottilia
Titel	The Role of Volunteerism on Social Integration and Adaptation of African Students at a Mid-Western University in the United States
Quelle	In: Journal of International Students, 3 (2013) 2, S.117-128 (12 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2162-3104
Schlagwörter	Social Integration; Student Adjustment; Volunteers; Student Participation; Interviews; College Students; Foreign Students; Blacks; Whites; Educational Environment; Interaction; Interpersonal Relationship; Social Isolation; Self Concept; Social Capital; Cultural Capital; Human Capital; Barriers + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Soziale Integration; Student; Students; Adjustment; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Adaptation; Freiwilliger; Schülermitarbeit; Schülermitwirkung; Studentische Mitbestimmung; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik; Collegestudent; Black person; Schwarzer; White; Weißer; Lernumgebung; Pädagogische Umwelt; Schulumwelt; Interaktion; Interpersonal relation; Interpersonal relations; Interpersonelle Beziehung; Zwischenmenschliche Beziehung; Soziale Isolation; Selbstkonzept; Sozialkapital; Humankapital
Abstract	This study examined the role of volunteer experiences on Black African international students' social integration and adaptation at a predominantly White Mid-Western university in the United States. The study explores micro-level interactions and relationships fostered during volunteering as well as feelings of inclusion/exclusion and personal satisfaction. Thirteen participants who had volunteered in services that required substantial interactions were interviewed. Four themes on the positive influence of volunteering on social integration and adaptation were identified, namely; fostering of feelings of inclusion and belonging, enhancement of social cohesion of diverse people, fostering of feelings of self-validation, and attainment of social, cultural, and human capital. However, other participants in this study felt inadequate, alienated, and devaluated during the volunteer process. Fear of not being understood, feelings of incompetence, and the cumbersome bureaucratic process in the application process deterred some participants from volunteering with some services. The authors conclude by providing recommendations for international students in general, institutions of higher learning, and volunteer agencies. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01