Finland: Social Work in a Global Context
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Social work is a global profession. Global interdependence, the transnational nature of issues such as poverty and violence, the movement of people across borders, advances in communications and information technology, and the development of the social work profession around the world, make a global perspective an essential part of social work education.
In this travel seminar, students travel to Finland to learn about how social work is understood and practiced in different parts of the world. Together with students and faculty from other countries, we explore social issues, social work responses to those issues, and ways of communicating across cultural and language differences. We also consider how our common identification with the social work profession connects us and might enable us to work together to improve the lives of people worldwide. Finally, we learn about the progressive social welfare system and cultural treasures of Finland.
The first week of the course takes place at the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi,
Finland. Students 
attend lectures by participants from different countries and participate in small group discussions
on topics germane to global social work. We begin the second week with a field trip
to Utsjoki, near Finland's norther border with Norway. As the only municipality where
indigenous Sami people are the majority population, Utsjoki offers a unique opportunity
to learn about Sami culture and the provision of social services in a remote, sparsely
populated locale. During the visit, the group stays at Kevo, a sub-artic research
station run by the University of Turku. While at Kevo, students experience and learn
about the northern Lapland environment and how it influences the lives of people living
in this region of the world.
The second excursion is to Helsinki, Finland's capital and largest municipality. In Helsinki, the group visits social service organizations and sample some of Helsinki's many cultural offerings.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Students enrolled in the travel seminar will:
1) Explore social work issues and the social work profession from the perspectives
of different cultures.
2) Learn about the Finnish social welfare system and social work services.
3) Learn about Sámi culture and social work issues related to this population.
4) Consider the meaning and application of social work values and ethics across
cultures.
5) Reflect on one’s own acculturation and ethnocentricity and its implications for
social work.
6) Consider how to advance cross-cultural understanding and culturally sensitive
practices.
Sample Itinerary
| Day 1 (travel day) | Departure from NYC area airport |
| Day 2 | Arrive in Rovaniemi |
| Day 3 (May 23) | Orientation and lectures at University of Lapland start |
| Day 4 | Lectures at University of Lapland |
| Day 5 | National Holiday - activities will be planned |
| Day 6 | Lectures and activities at University of Lapland |
| Day 7 | Lectures and activities at University of Lapland |
| Day 8 | Lectures and activities at University of Lapland |
| Day 9 | Lectures and activities at University of Lapland |
| Day 10 | Lectures and activities at University of Lapland |
| Day 11 | Depart for Kevo |
| Day 12 | Kevo trip |
| Day 13 | Return from Kevo |
| Day 14 | Depart for Helsinki |
| Day 15 | Helsinki site visits |
| Day 16 | Helsinki site visits |
| Day 17 | Helsinki site visits |
| Day 18 | Helsinki site visits |
| Day 19 | Depart Finland for USA |
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dates: May 21 - June 5, 2022 (inclusive of travel)
Pre-requisite: There is no pre-requisite to participate in this travel seminar. We encourage Social Work majors/minors and all students who have an interest in social work to apply.
Credits: TX200C is a three credit course
Program Fee: The anticipated fee for the travel seminar to Finland will be between $2,400 and $2,800. The final program fee will be finalized before the application deadline. The program fee includes Skidmore tuition, accommodations (double/triple occupancy), some meals during excursions, activities, ground transportation, Skidmore faculty on-site, and the support of OCSE. The fee does not include personal expenses, flights or additional COVID tests required for travel. There is no financial aid available for this travel seminar. Please see the OCSE travel seminar financial policy page for additional information.
Students will be responsible for any required visas to enter Finland and any COVID testing require to travel to Finland and return to the US.
Meals and Housing: The program fee includes housing in dorm accommodations for the duration of the program in Finland. During group travel (Kevo), some meals are provided. More specific information about meals and housing will be communicated to students upon acceptance.
Flights: Students will be responsible for their own flights to/from Finland, arriving in Rovaniemi and departing from Helsinki. OCSE will book the one-way flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinski.
Application Process: The deadline for applications is February 15th. Students are required to apply for travel seminars through the MyOCSE portal. Applications will be reviewed and students will be notified of acceptances before March 1st.
Class of 2022 Students: Seniors are welcome to participate in any of our spring or summer travel seminars. For the Finland travel seminar, students will have two options. First, students can be reclassified as August graduates and the credits will be counted towards your degree (and show on your transcirpt). Second option is to take this travel seminar as a post-grad course and your graduation date will remain as May. The course and grade will be posted to your transcript as a post-grad course (not counted towards your degree nor factored into your GPA). Don't worry, with either option, you'll still be able to walk on graduation day!
QUESTIONS?
Contact the OCSE office (ocse@skidmore.edu)or contact Kelly Melekis (Assistant Professor of Social Work) directly.
