assessing the impacts of international social work initiatives on students, field instructors and...
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Assessing the Impacts of Assessing the Impacts of International Social Work Initiatives International Social Work Initiatives on Students, Field Instructors and on Students, Field Instructors and FacultyFaculty
Caren J. Frost, Ph.D., M.P.H.Caren J. Frost, Ph.D., M.P.H.Helane Leta, M.S.W.Helane Leta, M.S.W.
IASSW ConferenceJuly, 2012
Overview of PresentationOverview of PresentationBenefits of internationalizationGoals of internalization at U. of Utah
CSWStrategies to achieve goalsSurvey data results Implications/vision for the future
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Benefits of Program Benefits of Program InternationalizationInternationalizationEnhances 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)
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Benefits of International Benefits of International Experiential Learning (Gilin & Experiential Learning (Gilin & Young, 2009)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
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College’s Mission for College’s Mission for International Social WorkInternational Social WorkInternationalize College of Social Work
curriculumEstablish 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
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Strategies to Achieve Strategies to Achieve GoalsGoalsDevelopment of internationally
focused coursesInfusion of international content in
classesPromotion of faculty involvement in
internationally focused comparative research, program development & professional organizations
Sponsorship of international guest scholars
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Strategies to Achieve Goals Strategies to Achieve Goals (cont.)(cont.)Expansion of enrollment of
students with international background
Provision of international practica, independent study/research and group study abroad opportunities for students
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MSW International Emphasis MSW International Emphasis RequirementsRequirements
◦ 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
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International Students in International Students in College of Social WorkCollege of Social WorkStudents 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
Location of Student/Faculty Location of Student/Faculty ExchangesExchanges
Africa: Botswana, GhanaAsia: India, Japan, MongoliaMiddle East: YemenEurope: Austria, Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, RomaniaLatin America: Costa Rica,
Mexico, Peru
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Faculty Exchange Faculty Exchange ActivitiesActivitiesBSW program developmentCollaborative research &
publicationGuest lecturing in classesField agency visitsCurriculum consultationConference presentationsTraining of social workers
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Faculty in Professional Faculty in Professional International Social Work International Social Work OrganizationsOrganizationsAUDEM 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)
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Survey about International Survey about International Initiatives (2010 & 2011)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)
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Preliminary Findings: Field Preliminary Findings: Field Instructor DataInstructor 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%)
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Field Instructor CommentsField 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.
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Survey on Study Abroad Survey on Study Abroad (2011)(2011)Asked students about study
abroad program costs, purposes, and times
20% of the students were completing the international emphasis
21% were BSW students61% were MSW students18% were PhD students
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Findings from Study Abroad Findings from Study Abroad Survey (n=102)Survey (n=102)
Questions Costa Rica Mongolia Peru Thailand/Burma
Interested in participating
56% (45) 58% (45) 67% (51) 70% (50)
Estimated cost seems reasonable
31% (25) 49% (37) 13% (10) 50% (36)
Timeframe fits my schedule
53% (42) 60% (46) 54% (39) 37% (26)
Program activities are of interest (Strongly Agree/Agree)
78% (63) 86% (65) 76% (56) 81% (59)
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Next StepsDevelop
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
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Next Steps ContinuedNext Steps Continued
Expansion◦ Morocco◦ Return to Mexico
Increase funding◦ Research
Faculty Dissertations MSW & BSW
students
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Thanks! Feel free to Thanks! Feel free to contact us:contact us:Prof. Helane LetaDir. of MSW Field
Education & Graduate International Social Work
Asso. Prof./Lec.Helane.Leta@soc
wk.utah.edu
Dr. Caren FrostDir. of
International Social Work Research
Research Professor
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