Personlige forutsetninger for å arbeide i utviklingshjelp: Fredskorpsdeltagernes erfaringer

Abstract

Axelsen, E. (1989). Psychological qualifications for working in foreign aid: The experience of Peace Corps volunteers. Nordisk Psykologi, 41, 109–125.

Western workers in foreign aid projects in Africa have been reported to experience difficulties due to cultural differences and lack of personal qualities needed to adapt to life and work in a changed environment. To evaluate the selection procedure for Norwegian Peace Corps volunteers, twenty foreign aid workers in Botswana and Kenya were interviewed about their subjective experiences of the differences between Norwegian and African styles of work and life, how they coped with the new culture and whether any personality changes took place.

In general, the participants seemed to cope well and reported to become more self-confident, calm and flexible living in the new culture. The study seems to confirm that the selection of volunteers functions satisfactorily.