The Shifting Landscape of International Practicum in Social Work Education

Wasif Ali,Emmanuel Chilanga,Mohammed Nurudeen Musah,Kamal Khatiwada,Julie L Drolet

doi:10.5296/ijsw.v9i1.19129

Abstract

International practicum, or international field placements, create opportunities for social work students to address global social challenges in an international setting and prepare for social work practice. The landscape of international practica in social work has evolved and shifted over the last two decades. This article reports on the findings of a literature review that was conducted to understand how international practicum has changed over time. The study established search criteria that led to the inclusion of 70 publications, 16 in the first decade (2000 to 2010) and 54 in the second decade (2011 to 2020) utilizing the web of Science and Social Work Abstracts, as well as specific searches conducted on the University of Calgary Library Database, EBSCO host, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. The results of the literature review show that there were fewer publications in the first decade and the emphasis was on understanding international practicum and field models. During the second decade, the published literature on international practicum tripled, focusing predominantly on developing new field education models, engaging in critical reflection and theory, and how to create successful field placements for students through preparation, teaching, and discussion. International practicum opportunities are critical to fostering transformative learning in social work students, and post-secondary institutions will need to re-establish international field education programs after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights

Many social work educators have advocated for integrating international social work values and content into social work education curricula (Pettys et al, 2005; Small et al, 2017)
International practicum opportunities are critical to fostering transformative learning in social work students, and post-secondary institutions will need to re-establish international field education programs after the COVID-19 pandemic
International practicum is defined as a social work field placement that occurs abroad, allowing students to experience social work in diverse practice contexts, multicultural settings, in order to learn about the values of international social work

Summary

Introduction

Many social work educators have advocated for integrating international social work values and content into social work education curricula (Pettys et al, 2005; Small et al, 2017). International practicum is defined as a social work field placement that occurs abroad (in another country), allowing students to experience social work in diverse practice contexts, multicultural settings, in order to learn about the values of international social work. International practicum has been found to benefit social work students in many ways; for example, students gain understanding of how the socio-economic and political issues impact different populations in different regions. This understanding enhances their skills and abilities to practice in diverse settings (Jönsson & Flem, 2020; Pawar et al, 2004; Tesoriero, 2006). The review identified and raised several important points including the planning and organization of international placements in light of globalization, benefits and challenges of international practicum, intercultural learning, career outcomes, placement experiences, and innovative approaches to social work field education

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Conclusion