Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

"Looks Good On Your Cv": The Sociology Of Voluntourism Recruitment In Higher Education, Colleen Mcgloin, Nichole Georgeou

Nichole Georgeou

The recruitment for what has become known as 'voluntourism' takes place on the campuses of many Australian universities. Students are recruited to travel to developing countries to aid poor communities. In doing so, according to recruiters, student CVs will be enhanced. The authors critically examine this process and argue that it reinforces the idea that 'poor' countries require outside help from affluent westerners to induce development, thereby reinforcing a hegemonic discourse of need.