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Bringing International Internships to Social Work: 

Bringing International Internships to Social Work Lynn Carrigan, L.I.C.S.W. University of Washington

Growth of International SW Internships: 

Growth of International SW Internships 1999: 1 to S. Africa, 1 to British Columbia 2000: 1 to India 2001: 1 to Thailand, 1 to Ecuador 2002: 1 to Korea 2003: 2 to Peru, 1 to Kenya, 1 to Mexico, 1 to Philippines 2005: 2 to Kenya, 3 to Thailand, 1 to Mexico, 1 to India 2006: 9 BASWs to India, Vietnam, Australia, Kenya, Philippines; 4 MSWs to Cambodia, Mexico, Malaysia, Nigeria

Critical Factors for Development: 

Critical Factors for Development Address School Challenges & Context Commit to Int’l. Ed Form Int’l Committee Host Ed. Events Award Travel Grants Create Alliances with International Programs Global Resource Ctr. Rework Curriculum Explore Models of Int’l Experience Reinterpret Supervision Standards Simplify Forms, Requirements Publicize Funding Resources

Address Professional School Challenges and Context: 

Address Professional School Challenges and Context Integrated model of coursework and concurrent practicum Stringent practicum requirements Frontline mental health provider credentialing challenges Commitment to domestic programs/services Little funding resources; low future earnings

Commit to International Education: 

Commit to International Education UW position as major university, Pacific Rim player contributed to renewed focus Office of International Education Faculty and Student Travel Grants for Exchanges and Development Ofc. of International Programs & Exchange Mark Lindenberg Center for Global Education at Evans School of Public Affairs

Form International Committee: 

Form International Committee Faculty, staff, students Mission to promote awareness of social justice effects of globalization and to develop opportunities for international learning Speakers, films, events Annual International Extravaganza Students lobbied for International SW Course Students reported on their trips abroad Fall information and planning events

Host Educational Events: 

Host Educational Events Student presentations of their international experiences Social workers from international agencies Faculty research on cross-cultural issues Speakers from around the world looking for sponsors to promote international issues Host delegations from other countries, international conferences

Award Travel Grants to Faculty and Students: 

Award Travel Grants to Faculty and Students Yearly awards to faculty for exchanges or to develop internship sites Yearly awards to students for travel with faculty to international projects Encourage faculty on Fogerty or Fulbright grants to bring students along for ind. study Coordinate timing of grants; make available to both on-going and emerging projects Allows for integrated education & practice

Create Alliances with International Programs: 

Create Alliances with International Programs UW IPE, IE3 programs host International Fairs, Scholarship meetings, can search for specialized programs or supervisors Meet with international programs such as MIRT, Puget Partners for Global Health to learn about criteria for successful grants Obtain brochures, applications for students from intn’l. programs and exchange offices Visit several sites to train instructors

Create Global Resource Center: 

Create Global Resource Center UW GHRC formed Advisory Board from Health Sciences faculty, students Created large data base of international opportunities and funding resources Developed website Created LIFE database for UW faculty members involved in international projects Serves as catalyst for interdisciplinary project, eg Nicaragua Joined with Rotaract to fund projects

Rework Curriculum Creatively: 

Rework Curriculum Creatively 2002 redesigned MSW curriculum to focus on social justice, multiculturalism, empowerment, social change Inequities, inequalities and disparities in access and care by populations examined Global and local exemplars embedded in each course Requirements shifted to Fall and Winter Electives in Winter and Spring Block placements allowed for Spring and/or Summer

Explore Various Models of International Experience: 

Explore Various Models of International Experience Independent Study vs. Practicum Sponsored Program vs. Independent Travel Faculty-accompanied trips vs. Student Only Research vs. Practice-oriented Internships Full practicum abroad vs. split global/local Generalist focused (BASW, foundation MSW) vs. Specialty focused (adv. MSW). Several maintained sites vs. student choice

Reinterpret Supervision Standards: 

Reinterpret Supervision Standards CSWE requires MSW supervisor for practicum on staff, board, or volunteer International SW degrees not always at master’s level Community development vs. specialties Use of faculty at SW schools abroad, BASWs, Ph.D. candidates with UW practicum faculty liaison by phone, email

Simplify Forms, Bureaucratic Requirements: 

Simplify Forms, Bureaucratic Requirements International Practicum checklist developed Agency Affiliation Agreement shortened Became individualized agreement between agency and school for current student(s) Liability insurance requirement dropped International Risk Acknowledgement created to include travel, unknown

Publicize Funding Resources: 

Publicize Funding Resources Financial Aid IPE scholarships Americorps, Peace Corps masters Under- /Graduate School scholarships Chester Fitz & Bonderman travel grants MIRT, Puget Sound Partners Global Health Student Group fundraising Publicizing of available funded internships and deadlines GHRC database

Reflect on Lessons and Challenges: 

Reflect on Lessons and Challenges Exchanges difficult due to high cost of living in U.S.; how to support equity? Students looking for own internships = chaos Culture shock is not to be underestimated; how to prepare, monitor, and support? Multiple students at site support each other Interdisciplinary internships are needed Need avenues for students to process and integrate learning after return to U.S.

Identify Next Steps: 

Identify Next Steps Create International Certificate Program; require pre-internship seminar and capstone presentation upon return; linked courses Join with other regional schools to pool resources and develop more opportunities Develop endowments for scholarships Improve language preparation opportunities Create int’l competencies for evaluation Centralize SW Int’l Internship database