Learning in Society to Build Insight: The Value of Volunteerism from Learning Experience Outside the Classroom among Generation Z

Abstract

Qualitative research based on descriptive phenomenology was conducted to study the value of volunteerism as a learning experience outside the classroom among Generation Z. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews from 30 key informants, all first-year students at the Puey Ungphakorn School of Development Studies, Thammasat University, who were born between 1998 and 1999 and had experience as organizational volunteers for one month. The study found that there are 10 organizations where students participate in volunteer work experiences. These are divided into volunteer work related to promoting and developing skills and life skills for children and youth, supporting the development of people with disabilities and the homeless, and fundraising for organizational development. The results showed that 96.7 percent of the students reflected that this volunteer activity was their first volunteer experience, with the benefits of expanding opportunities for target social groups. Moreover, the value that students received as volunteers included expanding their worldview and deeply understanding societal issues of interest, reducing ego, enhancing positive thinking skills, developing time management and teamwork skills, practicing self-discipline and patience, and feeling proud to be part of integrating classroom knowledge to concretely help society.