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

Caren.Frost@socwk.utah.edu

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