The Reality of Volunteer Work among the Students of the University of Jordan

Amal  El Kharouf; Rula Abul Rous

doi:10.35516/hum.v51i3.4211

Authors

Amal El Kharouf Center for Women Studies’, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2813-0942
Rula Abul Rous The Independent Media Station, Amman, Jordan https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3942-4481

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/hum.v51i3.4211

Keywords:

Volunteer work, development, University of Jordan, students

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to identify the reality of volunteer work among the students of the University of Jordan.

Methods: A total of 1714 undergraduates (551 male and 1164 female) were surveyed using a questionnaire designed to elicit information using the descriptive analytical approach. There were multiple-choice questions covering topics like how often college students volunteer, what kinds of service projects students want to take on, what they hope to gain from getting involved, what holds them back, and what resources would help get more college students involved in service projects.

Results: The findings revealed that both male and female students were eager to participate in volunteer activities. Most students (75.3%), both male and female, already engage in volunteer work, and the areas in which they hope to gain experience are primarily related to aiding charitable organizations that serve the underprivileged. Regarding implementation extent, there was a statistically significant correlation involving gender and college in students' views about volunteer work, with humanities students topping other students in this respect. By engaging in voluntary labor, students aspired to acquire new skills, boost their self-esteem, and develop their social skills. The primary obstacle to participation in volunteer labor programs was the lack of adequate promotion for volunteer work, while society's unfavorable view of volunteers had a minimal effect.

Conclusions The students at the University of Jordan recognize the value of volunteer work in building self-confidence and acquiring new skills.

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