International Study Tours
The School encourages students to pursue an international experience. We offer a May Intersession class that visits various places around the world as well as an opportunity for full program students to spend their second (SW8020) field placement in an international setting.
Below is a list of past Intersession tours and information on the 2009 excursion.
2009 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Cape Town, South Africa
2008 - Chile, South America
Led by Professors David Hollister and Dario Mentaneau-Horta
2007 - Peru, South America
Social Development, Policy, and Services in Peru
A complex indigenous society dominated for hundreds of years by a colonial power, Peru is now emerging to face the challenges of economic and social change. This course includes visits to social service/development sites, dialogues with social service providers and community workers, and travel to cultural and historic sites. Cities on the itinerary were Lima, Ayacucho, and Cuzco.
Download a flyer with more information about the study tour:
Peru Study Tour (PDF)
Click on the photos on the right to view photos from these past intersessions:
2006 - Vietnam
Peter Dimock and Dave Hollister led a group to Vietnam to study that nation's present state of social development, policy, and services.
2005 - Ghana, West Africa
Priscilla Gibson, Lisa Albrecht and Megan Morrissey led a group of 12 students through Ghana, West Africa. For 15 days they learned about the rich culture and diversity in this English-speaking country with more than 44 different other languages. They
- Toured social service agencies, community centers, educational institutions, cultural centers, and museums.
- Observed rural and urban living.
- Visited sites of historic and cultural interest, such as the Slave Dungeons of Cape Coast and Elimina (the oldest in Africa) Castles.
- Learned how cultural context influences issues such as domestic violence and HIV/AIDS.
- Learn about the socio-cultural meaning of being educated in the United States.
- Became aware of inner-strengths by walking on the exhilarating Canopy Walk in Kakum Nature Park.
- Increased bartering skills in an Open Air Market.
2004 - England, Northern Ireland, and Ireland
An 11-day trip to London, Belfast, and Dublin involved visits to social service, educational, and community development sites in the three cities as well as sites of historical and cultural interest. In Belfast the group focused on understanding peace work and inter-community building efforts in divided and contested societies.
2003 - Peru, South America
During their 10-day stay in Peru, South America, students visited social service and economic development sites in the capitol city of Lima, visit Ayacucho, the cultural center of Peru's highland, and Cuzco the central city of Inca Peru, as well as historic sites such as Machu Picchu.
2001 - Norway
Students learned about the Norwegian social welfare system and services,
with particular emphasis on social services for children and elderly.
Norwegian social work faculty, policy makers, social work practitioners
and child care workers in Oslo, Trondheim, Stavanger and Bergen met with
students for a discussion about the Norwegian system. Students visited
organizations and agencies engaged in policy development and service
provision.