Exploring Perceptions of International Philanthropy
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- This thesis explores the sense of philanthropy by examining the different ways in which students from highly selective universities make sense of international public service and volunteer tourism. This paper explores the implications and effects of volunteer tourism on the student and receiving community. While volunteer tourism is treated skeptically at Stanford University, it remains a popular phenomenon throughout the western world and is a common activity listed on Stanford students’ admission applications. While many schools, especially medical schools, require some sort of volunteer work -- especially devoted, seemingly-well-rounded projects such as international volunteer work -- could schools and students be permitting and contributing to a system promoting more harm than good? Often, these international volunteer endeavors have a program fee restricting their access to those who can pay to “help.” I am not the first to recognize that this notion of volunteer travel is a problem, but there is a great divide between those who view it as a benefit and those who view it as a harm. I find that articles either dismiss or praise this notion of active philanthropy. I seek to entertain both perspectives and negotiate a way in which the altruistic urge to help is not disposed of, but rather the harmful ways in which philanthropy can be conducted are eliminated. This paper collates my personal experience, scholarly research, and original interviews of individuals who have participated in international service work. My research questions are: What are the different ways in which students from highly selective universities make sense of international public service and volunteer tourism? How can we better guide the young person’s desire to help the world? My aims are to promote an awareness of the potential harms in a seemingly benevolent effort to do good and avoid the failure that ensues from misaligned intentions. I seek to provide actionable conclusions in order to fill gaps I found present in the literature. Could international service be promoting more harm than good?
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Date created | May 2019 |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Camara, Cate |
|---|---|
| Advisor | Abrams, William |
| Degree granting institution | Stanford University, Department of Science, Technology, and Society |
Subjects
| Subject | Voluntourism |
|---|---|
| Subject | Philanthropy |
| Subject | Service-learning |
| Subject | Science Technology and Society |
| Genre | Thesis |
Bibliographic information
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- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license (CC BY).
Preferred citation
- Preferred Citation
- Camara, Cate. (2019). Exploring Perceptions of International Philanthropy. Unpublished Honors Thesis. Stanford University, Stanford CA.
Collection
Stanford University, Program in Science, Technology and Society, Honors Theses
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- Contact
- ccamara2@stanford.edu
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