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IASSW Conference July, 2012

Assessing the Impacts of International Social Work Initiatives on Students, Field Instructors and Faculty Caren J. Frost, Ph.D., M.P.H. Helane Leta, M.S.W. IASSW Conference July, 2012. Overview of Presentation. Benefits of internationalization Goals of internalization at U. of Utah CSW

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IASSW Conference July, 2012

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  1. Assessing the Impacts of International Social Work Initiatives on Students, Field Instructors and FacultyCaren J. Frost, Ph.D., M.P.H. Helane Leta, M.S.W. IASSW Conference July, 2012

  2. Overview of Presentation • Benefits of internationalization • Goals of internalization at U. of Utah CSW • Strategies to achieve goals • Survey data results • Implications/vision for the future

  3. Benefits of Program Internationalization • Enhances negotiation of cultural differences (Barlow, 2007) • Enables utilization of participatory and collaborative research models (Pinto, et. al., 2007) • Fosters development of international relationships based upon mutual respect and reciprocity (Mathiesen & Lager, 2007) • Generates movement of empirically validated programs from more resourced to less resourced regions (Voisin, et. al., 2006) IntlSW/CSW

  4. Benefits of International Experiential Learning (Gilin & Young, 2009) • Develops understanding of linkages between social policies and social work practices • Creates awareness of innovative social work practices that could be used in the U.S. • Deepens empathy and respect for members of other cultural groups. • Expands and consolidates professional identity IntlSW/CSW

  5. College’s Mission for International Social Work • Internationalize College of Social Work curriculum • Establish international field placements and other study abroad opportunities for students, faculty and community social service providers • Promote cross-national faculty/university exchange and collaboration for scholarship and service

  6. Strategies to Achieve Goals • Development of internationally focused courses • Infusion of international content in classes • Promotion of faculty involvement in internationally focused comparative research, program development & professional organizations • Sponsorship of international guest scholars

  7. Strategies to Achieve Goals (cont.) • Expansion of enrollment of students with international background • Provision of international practica, independent study/research and group study abroad opportunities for students

  8. MSW International Emphasis Requirements • Perspectives in International Social Work (Leta) • International practicum or domestic practicum with substantial emphasis on international populations • Two additional internationally focused electives, options include: Courses • International Issues in Women’s Health (Frost) • Refugees Resettlement Issues (Mai) • Study Abroad • Costa Rica/Mexico (Gringeri) • Mongolia (Frost) • Thailand/Burma (Mai & Hunter) • Independent Study/Research

  9. International Students in College of Social Work • Students with international visas and other students of international origin • PhD students: China, Ghana, India, Republic of Korea • MSW students: Botswana, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, China, Colombia, El Salvador, England, Germany, Ghana, Honduras, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Mongolia, Peru, Poland, Rwanda, Sudan • BSW students: Cambodia, Columbia, Congo, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Tonga, Samoa, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Viet Nam IntlSW/CSW

  10. Location of Student/Faculty Exchanges • Africa: Botswana, Ghana • Asia: India, Japan, Mongolia • Middle East: Yemen • Europe: Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania • Latin America: Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru

  11. Faculty Exchange Activities • BSW program development • Collaborative research & publication • Guest lecturing in classes • Field agency visits • Curriculum consultation • Conference presentations • Training of social workers

  12. Faculty in Professional International Social Work Organizations • AUDEM Board of Directors (Harris) • CSWE’s Council on Global Learning, Research, & Practice (Leta) • CSWE’s Global Commission (Panos) • International Association of School of Social Work (CSW) • International Editorial Board of the Cochrane Collaboration (Yaffe)

  13. Survey about International Initiatives (2010 & 2011) • Wanted to know • How effective are the CSW’s international initiatives in fostering a greater understanding of global social welfare issues, policies, and programs? • Conducted surveys with • Students (n=64) • Field Instructors (n=81) • Faculty (n=21)

  14. Preliminary Findings: Field Instructor Data • Agree that social workers should be knowledgeable about international issues (90%) • Agree that social workers should acquire skills to work with international populations at the local level (94%) • Agree that social workers should acquire skills to work with international populations abroad (70%) • Agree that it is important for the CSW to offer internationally-focused educational opportunities (75%) • Agree that their agencies and the community at large have benefitted from the CSW’s international initiatives (34%)

  15. Field Instructor Comments • I would like to have time to participate more. I think all agencies have to understand the importance of cultural sensitivity, and also be culturally aware that regulations here are different from the traditions and culture from other countries. Social workers should be knowledgeable of these aspects and be the link between international clients and other staff. • It would probably benefit the hospital social workers to understand international initiatives, but we don't always have the opportunity to work with this population in the program that I am involved in currently. We are transplanting patients from other countries so it could be beneficial. I would like to know more.

  16. Survey on Study Abroad (2011) • Asked students about study abroad program costs, purposes, and times • 20% of the students were completing the international emphasis • 21% were BSW students • 61% were MSW students • 18% were PhD students

  17. Findings from Study Abroad Survey (n=102)

  18. Next Steps • Develop international track for 2nd year of MSW program • Increase collaborations with the community to further explore international issues and solutions • Increase interdisciplinary collaboration across University of Utah campus • Create faculty, student, and community discussion forums

  19. Next Steps Continued • Expansion • Morocco • Return to Mexico • Increase funding • Research • Faculty • Dissertations • MSW & BSW students

  20. Thanks! Feel free to contact us: • Prof. Helane Leta • Dir. of MSW Field Education & Graduate International Social Work • Asso. Prof./Lec. • Helane.Leta@socwk.utah.edu • Dr. Caren Frost • Dir. of International Social Work Research • Research Professor • Caren.Frost@socwk.utah.edu

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