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.

important information

Dates: May 19 - June 5, 2019

Pre-requisite: None; but preference is given to rising juniors and seniors.  We encourage Social Work majors/minors and all students who have an interest in social work to apply. 

Credits: TX200 is a three credit course

Program Fee: The anticipated fee for the travel seminar to Finland is $3,900 (subject to change). This 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 also includes roundtrip airfare from New York City to Rovaniemi, Finland. The fee also includes a meal stipend to help students cover meals on-site.  The fee does not include personal expenses and there is no Skidmore financial aid available for this travel seminar. Please see the OCSE travel seminar finacial policy page for additional information. 

Meals and Housing: The program fee includes housing in dorm accommodations for the duration of the program in Finland. Students will receive a stipend to help cover meals.  During group travel, some meals are provided. Students should budget between $150-200 for additional meals. More specific information about meals and housing will be communicated to students upon acceptance. 

Flights: OCSE will arrange for a group flight from a New York area airport. 

Application Process: The deadline for applications is March 1, 2019.  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 15.

Questions?

Stop by the OCSE office (Starbuck 202) or contact Kelly Melekis (Assistant Professor of Social Work) directly.