International Programs
"International education exchange is the most significant current project designed to continue the process of humanizing mankind to the point, we would hope, that nations can learn to live in peace..." - J. William Fulbright
The School has initiated a variety of Study Abroad programs with colleges and universities around the world. These programs are intended to deepen your understanding of American social work and social welfare policies and practices as well as those of other countries. The underlying purpose of all our Study Abroad opportunities is to introduce students to the global dimensions of social work and social welfare issues, problems and practices as they exist throughout the world (e.g., in the fields of child welfare, disaster assistance, human rights, HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, interpersonal violence, poverty, racism, refugee resettlement, etc.).
In addition to the School’s own formal exchange programs (located primarily in Europe and Asia), students also may participate in a broad range of comparative research projects of their own design and in a country of their own choosing. Typically, these projects are conducted in countries located in developing Asia, Africa or Latin America or in a member state of the Commonwealth of Independent States, including the Russian Federation. In the recent past, and thanks to our large network of alumni and former visiting faculty, the School has been able to facilitate independent research opportunities for students in Asia (including Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, and Thailand), Africa (including Botswana, the Cameroons, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and South Africa) Latin America (including Chile, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Mexico) and in the Russian Federation and Greenland. Each fully independent study is highly individualized and is developed jointly by the student with the School’s Director of International Programs. For participation in these programs students register for an Independent Study within SP2 (SW799, SW899, etc.).
Students enrolled in any of the School’s degree-granting program may participate in a Study Abroad experience (MSW, NPL, MSSP, DSW, PhD). Programs typically range in length from 3-6 weeks and take place during either the first or second summer session, or both. All programs are conducted in English, albeit knowledge of the host country’s language will be an asset for students conducting fully independent research projects. In all cases, Penn students may earn up to one unit of academic credit (1 CU) in the form of a “free elective” toward their SP2 degree requirements. The unit of credit will be earned either directly from SP2 (in the case of independent research projects) or as a “transfer credit” between the sponsoring program (e.g., another U.S. social work or social policy related program) and SP2.
The financial costs associated with participation in Study Abroad include: 1) the payment of 1 CU of tuition and fees to either Penn or to the sponsoring institution; 2) the cost of books and other course materials; 3) the cost of return air travel between Philadelphia and the city in which the student’s international host institution is located; 4) international health insurance; 5) the cost of local housing, food and other ordinary living expenses; 6) the cost of local travel within and around the student’s host country; and, 7) if needed, translation services. Limited financial assistance toward the cost of an air ticket between Philadelphia and the city in which the student’s host institution is located may be available to students with demonstrated financial need.
All students undertaking a Study Abroad experience must complete an international or comparative research project on a social policy, social welfare or social work issue of mutual interest to the student, the student’s host institution, and SP2. The project culminates in the writing of a 12-15 page paper which is submitted jointly to the School’s Director of International Programs and the student’s international sponsor. Students will be provided with an opportunity to present their research findings during the semester following their return to Penn.
Detailed information, including an electronic application form, can be downloaded from the following URL address: www.sp2.upenn.edu/~restes/PIE.doc. Completed applications for participation in Study Abroad experiences are due by not later than January 15 but early applications are encouraged. The Finland program due date is generally in mid-to-late November.
A school-wide informational meeting for students interested in undertaking Study Abroad experiences will be held in October of each year. Questions concerning Study Abroad should be directed to either Professor Richard Estes (restes@sp2.upenn.edu), Director of International Programs, or to Professor Roberta Iversen (riversen@sp2.upenn.edu) in relation to the Finland program. Dean Lina Hartocollis (hart@sp2.upenn.edu) is available to answer financial aid and related questions.
