The nature of reciprocity in international service-learning : a case study

Abstract

This thesis reports an investigation into the nature of reciprocity in international service-learning with a specific focus on the service and learning experiences of the service-providers and community partners. The purpose of this research is to collect and analyse evidence about the nature of reciprocity in international service-learning. The research is a critical interpretative research which applies a case study method as its research strategy, and follows a flexible design. Data evidence from semi-structured interviews are interpreted through thematic analysis, and documents are interpreted by using critical discourse analysis. Through investigating the implementation of the 'Student-Volunteer-based Chinese Language and Culture Education' (SVCLCE) Program from 2012 to 2014, it was discovered that partners were driven by exchange-oriented reciprocity, and they each enacted generativity and influence-oriented reciprocity to facilitate their interchange of benefits. Their satisfaction with the collaboration was fundamentally determined by the achievement of benefits, which was influenced by personal factors and the power dynamics in the broader context. Thus, it was found that relationship-oriented reciprocity should be enacted between the partners to bring them together for progressive collaboration, despite their differences, while not glossing over the root issues regarding inequality and hegemony in the broader context of the collaboration. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that establishing a relationship is time consuming, and that a strategy of supervision and validation of partners should be involved as a complement for the development of the collaboration.

Date of Award	2019
Original language	English