EXPLORING INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS IN\ud SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION

An international field experience is an important way for social work students to gain knowledge of cultures other than their own. The demand for international social work internships is increasing. This study surveyed social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education that currently offer international field placements, and in turn, identified best practices for developing international placements. The findings included the number and frequency of international placements, the countries where placements occurred, the model and development of international placements, funding opportunities, and the supervision and monitoring of international placements. Programs were also provided an opportunity to discuss reasons why they chose not to place students internationally.\ud Quantitative and qualitative data was collected using an online survey tool, Survey Monkey. The survey was sent to 482 accredited schools of social work, with 228 programs responding. Results were compared to a similar study completed in 2002 by Panos, Pettys, Cox, and Jones-Hart. The results from this recent study indicated an increase in programs offering international field placements and an increase in social work programs developing international placements. A lack of relationships with international schools of social work and field sites surfaced as one of the main challenges to developing international placements.\ud The aim of this study was to provide social work programs interested in developing international placements with resources and best practice methods for developing international field practicum sites. The benefits and challenges to offering international social work placements were identified and sustainable resources for promoting the development of international placements discussed.CSU, Chic