Abstract
The Transforming the Field Education Landscape partnership conducted a study to understand international field education through the perceptions and experiences of field education coordinators and directors from accredited social work education programs across Canada. A survey questionnaire was designed to identify placement models, policies, placement logistics, and perceptions and experiences regarding international practica that included 32 questions (12 open-ended questions, eight Likert Scale questions, and 12 closed-ended questions). In total, there were 28 respondents out of 43 Canadian schools (23 respondents in English and five respondents in French). The paper shares the results of the survey, and provides an overview of international field education’s role in promoting intercultural learning in diverse contexts. While the COVID-19 pandemic limited the availability of international practica, it provided an opportunity to reflect on the delivery and coordination of international field education. The survey results demonstrated the need for improvements in models and methods that are currently being used. Field education coordinators and directors are primarily responsible for coordinating international practica. However, they face challenges such as time constraints, maintaining long-term partnerships or affiliation agreements and promoting international practica to encourage student interests. The study findings show that there is a need to develop partnerships between Canadian social work academic institutions and global stakeholders in order to facilitate new sustainable international practicum opportunities. International field education has been, and will remain, a viable opportunity for emerging practitioners to develop social work skills in diverse contexts.
Presenters
Julie L. DroletProfessor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
International, Field Education, Intercultural Learning, Social Work, Practicum, Diversity
