Abstract
Extensive literature on community service in higher education lacks the perspective and experience of international students pursuing studies in United States (U.S.) higher education institutions. Research has shown that students are likely to experience multiple positive benefits from community service and develop in personal, interpersonal and cognitive ways, transform perspectives and enhance citizenship skills. Yet, the community service experiences of international students in the US, and how they were impacted by this, have not been addressed. This mixed methods study investigated the community service experiences of, and their impacts on, international students at one public university in the southeastern U.S. Quantitative data collected from a researcher developed instrument and qualitative data collected from individual interviews were analyzed, then triangulated with literature. Findings provided a foundational understanding of the community service experiences of participants, how they were impacted, and their future intentions to engage in community service. They had diverse, positive experiences with multiple impacts. Most intended to engage in future community service. Participants’ suggestions and the researcher’s insight offer guidance to international students and higher education practitioners in supporting international students’ engagement in community service in U.S. higher education institutions.