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Presently, we are witnessing an unprecedented expansion of Western youth participating in short-term (1 to 2 week) international volunteering and service (IVS) programs in developing countries located predominantly in the Global South. Current academic literature around the impacts IVS has on receiving host communities in developing countries is highly controversial. This study utilizes ethnographic research, involving a combination of participant observation and semi-structured interviews, to gain the perspectives of the Fijian Highland villagers from the IVS host community, on the positive and negative effects of hosting American aged 14-18 year olds participating in short-term (one-week) international volunteering and immersion service programs in their village since 1996.

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Katelyn Kerrigan was raised in California. She received a Bachelor´s in Social Science from California Polytechnic University and a Master´s of International Studies from University of San Francisco. She has spent substantial time working in developing countries but is currently in Boston working for United Way as Manager of Volunteer Engagement.

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