Research Highlights MAS Grants as a Model for Short-Term Exchanges

New research has shown the numerous potential benefits of short-term mobility schemes, and how THE MAS Grant can serve as a catalyst for broader social change.

Researchers Paula Gonzalo and Alonso Escamilla interviewed 17 participants of short-term mobility schemes funded by Manuel Andrés Sánchez Grants (MAS Grants) at the University of Salamanca in Spain.

The program, which has been running since 2008, sends students pursuing Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral degrees to work with NGOs across Latin America, Africa, and Asia for up to three months.

The benefits of the scheme

A grounding, immersive experience

The researchers point out that the scheme is unique because of its immersive nature. The students get a chance to truly get to know another way of life.

"Unlike so-called 'volunteer tourism', which is a highly commodified experience often shaped by a ‘volunteer tourist gaze’ that reinforces neo-colonial differences and limits genuine cultural exchange, MAS Grants are grounded in a more authentic and reciprocal encounter with host organisations".

What's more, students often recalled that they were challenged in completely new ways. They'd be sent head-first into a completely new culture and living environment, and would have to adapt quickly. This helped them become more resilient, adaptable and open-minded.

One student recalled their experience working from a remote village, and how it helped them grow as as a person:

We were literally in the jungle, in a remote village two hours from the nearest town, with very limited leisure options. I spent three months living in a cabin with seven other people, sharing bunk beds. Managing my time, space, and emotions in that environment taught me a lot about adapting and staying grounded.

Building real-world soft skills

Soft skills development is one of the top benefits from the scheme.

Most of the 17 interviewed students shared that the experience opened their eyes to new cultures and living conditions, and pushed them to adapt mentally and sometimes physically.

Because students face unfamiliar situations in regard to, for instance, social and cultural norms, new gastronomic habits, or economic conditions, they learn how to navigate through stress, uncertainty, and even loneliness. In turn, this builds their resilience, emotional strength, and flexibility.

The top soft skills students mentioned were resilience and autonomy. Students also felt inspired to continue their civic engagement by creating their own new projects once they come back to Spain.

During my three-month stay in Sucre, I quickly realized that beyond my initial project on digital technologies, there were more basic needs that were not met, especially with respect to children’s nutrition. Therefore, I decided to develop a project for the SAS called “Creating a School Vegetable Garden”

Making students more employable

Past research has shown that structured volunteering and civic service programs foster civic engagement and boost graduates' employment chances.

One of the students highlighted that they discovered their passion for cooperation through the program, and that the scheme strengthened their CV for NGO job applications.

👉 Also read: Which Soft Skills Are Employers Looking For?

What's next?

For students: Students who face financial, time, or program-structure constraints can gain access to meaningful international experience through shorter, well-supported placements. Students can build resilience, autonomy, initiative, and intercultural communication in a format that fits alongside work, caregiving responsibilities, or intensive degree plans. They can also strengthen their CVs with disciplined, real-world experience linked to their academic background, supported by university oversight and preparation.

For universities: The study’s implications suggest that universities can expand access to mobility by building structured, short-term, funded placements with trusted NGO or public-interest partners. This helps lower barriers for students who cannot commit to semester-long exchanges by covering core costs such as travel, insurance, and basic living support.