Why Do We Volunteer Abroad?
Exploring motivations and perceptions behind global volunteerism.
Have you ever thought about volunteering abroad?
We all have our reasons for wanting to help others, but what drives those decisions? In this interactive experience, we explore the truth behind the appeal of volunteering in ‘developing’ countries and examine how perceptions shape our motivations.
Join us on a journey to understand what really motivates people to volunteer abroad and how we can all make a more ethical impact.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This is not a real volunteer program ****
While you may be used to seeing ads for volunteer programs abroad, this site was developed as part of the ‘Flipping the Narrative Campaign’ which focuses on dismantling the White Savior Complex in global development. This site is part of that campaign and is a research study exploring the motivations behind volunteering. We're interested in understanding why people choose to volunteer in other countries, especially in regions often 'associated' with poverty or need.
Through interactive content, reflective questions, and a survey, we aim to uncover the deeper reasons that drive these decisions, and highlight the ethical considerations involved.
By the end of your experience, we hope you'll have a better understanding of the complex dynamics that come with volunteering abroad and the White Savior Complex.
**Please note that ethical considerations were made when developing this website for research. You can view them here.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Volunteerism can be a powerful tool for good. However, if not done ethically, it can sometimes have unintended negative effects—like reinforcing stereotypes, creating dependency, or even overshadowing local efforts to solve their own problems.
Through this interactive project, we want to shed light on some of the ethical concerns surrounding volunteerism abroad, and provide an opportunity for you to reflect on your own motivations. What does it mean to help others? How do we ensure that our help is truly helping?
Engage in an interactive experience designed to challenge perceptions of the White Savior Complex and Volunteerism.
GUIDANCE
Here, you'll explore two fake volunteer abroad websites:
Each will challenge your perceptions of volunteerism, and we’ll ask you to reflect on your thoughts and motivations along the way.
Step 1: View Website 1 and go through each page
Step 2: Think critically about the motivations behind these programs.
Step 3: Complete our short survey to share your thoughts.
Step 4: View Website 2 and follow steps 2 & 3
