Consequences of international service-learning on community partners: A perspective from Bosnia-Herzegovina

This research will identify consequences, intended and unintended related to international service-learning on the partner organizations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The literature focuses heavily on impacts on students participating in the experience or impacts on universities. This research instead examines the consequences, intended and unintended on the international communities targeted by international service-learning. Using qualitative methodologies, interviews were conducted with twelve community partners in Sarajevo. The participants were selected based on their involvement with international service-learning. They represented both local and international organizations focusing on a variety of humanitarian efforts. Students from various US universities typically work with these organizations for eight weeks during the summer in an intern role. Participant responses were coded using content analysis and themes emerged indicating that the intended consequences are not realized due to a variety of factors. Additionally, there are several unintended consequences on the partner organizations, including the asset of a native English speaker and the costs of resources and staff. Through this qualitative study, the need for further research on the effects of international service-learning on the partner organizations was clearly identified.