Recently, some university students in their twenties have done volunteer work
just to get their grades and for career building. Many universities and
enterprises create various volunteer programs to develop students’ senses of
service; however, most students actually have formal and occasional volunteer
activities.

Actually, while the number of volunteer activities by university students is
high, it doesn’t continue. According to ‘2010 social welfare volunteer

statistical annual report’ by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of
volunteer workers in their teens and twenties is at 62%, but they don’t
continue. However, the number of elderly volunteers in their fifties through
sixties who continuously volunteer is at 61%.

Today, many universities such as Yonsei, Hanyang, Chungbuk started lectures
about social services to develop students’ senses of social service. However,
many students just fill the time without any meaning which goes against the
universities’ original intention. A staff member of a local youth center in
Cheong-ju said, “A student, who usually teaches children for 3 hours a week,
has taught 5 to 6 hours a week recently because he wants to finish his volunteer
work quickly so that he can get benefits when finding his job.”

 The government and companies are also bringing out lots of various volunteer
service programs such as overseas volunteer work and volunteering at
international festival. However, some university students consider volunteer
work as a great specification to be employees. Someone, who does not want to
show her name, said, “Doing overseas volunteer work became essential for future
job hunters.  I guess firms prefer it for new employees.”

The temporary volunteer service of those university students hurts the minds of
people who are getting help from them because volunteers never come again after
they filled their volunteer points. A staff member of a local youth center said,
“Volunteers don’t contact us and whenever children ask me why they don’t come
back again, I’m so sorry for the children.” An anonymous person who goes there
regularly said, “Even if some students really want to do it, they quit because
of university exams. It’s hard to find volunteers who last over 2 months.”

Some workers in the service centers said that university students have to do
continuous volunteering for their self-development and clients. A staff member
of local youth center said, “Many children in this center have broken heart.
Preventing the side effect, volunteer students have to do their volunteer work
with responsibility. The true volunteering would be helpful to children.”