Journeys to South Africa : Reflections on 20 Years of Short-term International Service-Learning

International service-learning programs are growing on college and university campuses; yet little is known about how students learn from these experiences and even less is known about how hosting communities benefit from these endeavors, particularly when the projects are short-term. Journeys to South Africa: Reflections on 20 Years of Short-term Service-Learning helps fill these gaps in the knowledge about international service-learning by offering description and analysis of qualitative data gathered during 20 years of service-learning in South Africa. This book is a unique collection of college student- and faculty-authored chapters. The data includes interviews conducted with host communities, surveys of students who have participated in the ISL program, interviews with some students who participated in the program in the early 2000s, and students’ travel journal entries, all of which are used to exemplify the successes and challenges of this 20-year ISL program. Journeys to South Africa provides significant insight into the two most important concerns of any service-learning program: how do students learn and communities benefit from these projects. The writing style is engaging, providing a unique combination of first-hand narratives, qualitative evidence and scholarly context. Faculty, administrators, and students who are interested in international service-learning will find enlightening the insights on the best practices and benefits of short-term international service-learning offered by Journeys to South Africa.