Structuring and Supporting International Field Placements

Overview: During this panel presentation, one University will share policy, a procedural process, and concrete strategies for structuring and supporting internationally based practicum placements. Case Vignettes and group discussions will be used to identify and address challenges and solutions that promote human rights and social justiceProposal text: Field Education courses are where students demonstrate mastery of the social work competencies in real-world professional settings (CSWE, 2015). For many students this is the highlight of their Social Work education; however, some aspiring students are unable to have this practicum experience based solely on international geographical location.

International Field Placements present unique experiences for social work students. The student can immerse themselves in learning about cultural and different social work systems. The diversity and expansion of social work thinking creates irreplicable learning activities on global issues of care and human rights experiences. There are also potential barriers and stressors for the student, the field program, and field partners that must be considered (Attrill & McAllister, 2016; Lee, Haines, Maneephong, & Zeng, 2019).

When one university implemented an Online MSW program, the decision was made to include international applicants and not to exclude based on geographical location. Within the first year of taking students, it became apparent to recognize a new population of student: the American student living overseas. These students were living in unfamiliar cultures with different rules and different time zones. This population of students needed to stay in their geographical location for Field work and had already proven success through other curriculum course work.

Simultaneously, one university was also partnering with programs for field experience study abroad as students requested to conduct their practicum in locations overseas. This experience provided an opportunity for the Field Team to evaluate their screening and structural support process for international placements. Fusing these two processes together could create high integrity competency-based practicum opportunities for students across the globe through international social work learning. This would not only improve access to education as an equity element for students, but also broaden and enrich the scope of student cultural understanding and practice by creating space for social work to permeate global communities.

There are three different types of international placements currently identified and allowed within this University: students who are American citizens but reside overseas, students who are geographically located in continental United States but are looking for international placement, and students who choose to study abroad through a current university program. International field placements created some challenges for the program, including but not limited to finding a placement, malpractice insurance, vetting the agency, and agency/student support.

During this presentation participants will learn about the policies created to support international placements and how one university decided to structure the placements. Through an experiential activity participants will apply their university policies to discuss student support and address potential difficulties both in planning and during placement (Dodge Family College of Arts & Sciences- The University of Oklahoma Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, 2021).