ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the existing literature on cross-cultural engagement through international volunteering. It analyses cross-cultural motivations for participation in learning/volunteering abroad for development (LVA4D) highlights number of rationales ranging from solidarity-oriented goals and global citizenship identities to self-oriented or egoistic expressions of individual-oriented benefits of cross-cultural skills development for career advancement. The chapter summarizes the narratives from host organization staff and LVA participants from Canada and analyses these experiences collectively. It explores these perspectives on cross-cultural engagement as core motivation and also as a rationale for participation in LVA programmes. The chapter highlights there are limitations in cross-cultural understanding when experiences abroad are constituted as culturally shocking, or when isolation or avoidance of cultural immersion takes place. It highlights many of the challenges and opportunities of cross-cultural communication for LVA4D. The value of cross-cultural engagement is rationalized by diverse actors and in a range of discursive contexts from volunteer-sending organization advertising campaigns to international development scholarship.
