The Effects of Service Learning and Volunteerism Activities on University Students in Turkey

Abstract

The general purpose of this study is to determine the awareness and acquisitions obtained with service activities by the students studying on undergraduate level in Eskişehir Anadolu University in 2016-2017 education year and involve in service learning and volunteerism activities. The study was designed according to qualitative research method and the case study was used. The data of the study was collected with semi-structured interview technique. Descriptive analysis method was used in analysing the data. Consequently, in this study, 4 main themes, 9 sub-themes and 3 categories were found in accordance with the purpose of the study. Being the first purpose of the study, “the reasons of students’ participation into service learning and volunteerism activities” was determined as the first theme of the study. The second purpose, “the effects of service learning and volunteerism activities on students’ occupational developments” was determined as the second theme of the study. The third purpose of the study “the effects of service learning and volunteerism activities on students’ personal development” was determined as the third theme. The fourth purpose “the effects of service learning and volunteerism activities on students’ view about disadvantageous people of the society” was determined as the fourth theme. Sub-themes and categories were classified according to the themes determined.