Exploring semester abroad as a model for developing competencies for international social work

• Published in: International social work Vol. 66; no. 2; pp. 490 - 503
• Main Authors: Das, Chaitali, Rösner, Verena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-03-2023; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: College students; Foreign students; International social work; Learning; North and South; Professional practice; Professional training; Social skills; Social values; Social work education; Work skills; student perceptions; semester abroad; International social work; international pedagogy; knowledge-values-skills
• ISSN: 0020-8728; 1461-7234
• DOI: 10.1177/00208728221080707

Student exposure to international contexts can support students to develop a variety of knowledge, values and skills for social work practice in a globalised world. While various models of internationalisation in social work education exist, semester abroad models have received scant attention in international social work. This article presents perceived learning outcomes for German social work students who participated in an integrated semester abroad programme within the European Union, that are comparable to other international pedagogies. The model showcases reciprocal study abroad arrangements between universities located in neighbouring countries that has implications for such internationalisation beyond exchanges between North-South countries.