"I believe there is no substitute for being in an international setting to truly understand the interface of global forces, both historical and current, on today's vulnerable populations," says Prof. Ann Petrila, Director of Field Education, shown here during a 2006 trip to China.
That's one of the reasons an increasing number of GSSW students are stepping well outside their comfort zones to take on international internships around the globe.
In fact, Prof. Petrila says, their experiences illustrate a national trend toward increasing interest in international social work opportunities. While many GSSW students bring a wealth of international experience to their graduate programs, through time spent in the Peace Corps or other service learning programs, others arrive with no international experience but with a strong desire to intern internationally.
Making a difference around the world
During the past few years, GSSW students have interned in Kenya and Bosnia-Herzegovina, working in programs and agencies established to deal with post-war issues. Their experiences have included development of a women's micro-enterprise program that enabled Kenyan girls to attend school, working with grassroots women's organizations serving war survivors, and interning at a United Nations organization working with children's health and education issues.
"The excitement and benefits of these international social work internships are immeasurable, says Petrila. "The opportunity to both live and work in a culture that is different from one's own is perhaps the best way to truly understand the challenges and strengths of any given situation. Even as students gain skill in many of the competencies needed for professional social work practice, one could argue that the true benefit of an international internship is the firsthand knowledge gained about social, societal, political, religious and historical factors in the community in which the student is living and working."
Expanding international internships
Discussions are in progress regarding several other international internship opportunities for GSSW students including Beijing, East Timor and Uruguay. "Establishing these internships takes a great deal of time, patience and resources," Petrila says, "but the rewards and benefits to our students, faculty and, ultimately, our clients make it well worth the effort."
