Opportunities for International Study
The School of Social Policy & Practice takes seriously its responsibility to educate students for leadership positions both nationally and internationally. Thus, the School has created a wide range of international opportunities for students, recent graduates, field instructors, post-doctoral scholars, and visiting scholars. In general, the School’s international education and research activities are organized in three primary streams: 1) international research and study opportunities for American students; 2) research and study opportunities for SP2 international students; and 3) visiting scholars.
1. International Research and Study Opportunities at SP2 for American Students
Many opportunities exist for students to spend 3-6 weeks during the summer months in another country carrying out a comparative research project on a topic of mutual interest to the student, the student’s host institution, and SP2. The application for participation in all SP2-sponsored study abroad programs may be downloaded from the following URL: http://www.sp2.upenn.edu/~restes/PIE.doc.
Formal Linkage Programs
SP2 maintains formal student-faculty formal linkage programs with the following institutions in Europe and Asia:
- SP2/University of Bielefeld, Faculty of Social Pedagogy (Bielefeld, Germany)
- SP2/Nitte Education Trust, Justice K. S. Hegde Institute of Management (Mangalore, India)
- SP2/Yonsei University, Department of Social Welfare (Seoul, Korea)
One unit of “free elective credit” (1 CU) is given to students who successfully complete all the requirements associated with one of these international programs.
Informal Linkage Programs
In addition to the School’s formal programs of student and faculty exchange, SP2 participates in the international programs organized by other American universities, including other American schools of social work. In recent years these programs have included:
- Boise State University (program in Mexico)
- Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Social Welfare, Hong Kong, China
- Florida State University (programs in the Dominican Republic, Prague and South Africa)
- Kyung Hee University Global Collaborative, Seoul, South Korea
- University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (program in Kenya)
- University of Pennsylvania (programs in Botswana, the Cameroons, and Ghana)
- University of Vermont/University of Lapland (Rovaniemi, Finland)
One unit of “free elective credit” (1 CU) is given to students who successfully complete all the requirements associated with one of these international programs.
Individualized Research Programs
Drawing on its network of professional relationships with colleagues and alumni working around the world, SP2 is able to assist students in organizing highly individualized programs of comparative research in countries not covered by the School’s existing formal and informal linkage relationships.
In every case, however, students must take the initiative with both SP2 and the proposed host institution in conceptualizing and planning the details of individualized research program. Students will receive substantial assistance in this effort through their SP2 sponsoring faculty member.
Examples of recent international independent research projects successfully completed by students have focused on:
- “Intimate partner violence among Korean and Korea-American women” (conducted in Korea by an MSW student in cooperation with a PhD alum)
- “Policy implications of the status differential between men and women in Macedonia” (conducted in Macedonia by an MSSP student as part of her internship in Macedonia)
- “Comparative perspectives on K-12 education in Greenland and Hawaii” (conducted in Greenland by an MSW student)
- “ ‘Resiliency’ ” among Burmese refugee women in Thailand” (conducted in Thailand by an MSW student in cooperation with a local NGO in Thailand and a Penn PhD alum)
- “Intimate partner violence among men and women in Guatemala City and the United States” (conducted in Guatemala by an MSW student in cooperation with the Psychology Faculty of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala)
Students are supported in conducting their individualized programs of international research through:
- Participation in a series of SP2-organized pre-departure seminars that provide students with both a conceptual framework and beginning skills for conducting an international comparative study;
- Enrollment in a credit-accruing (1 CU) internationally-focused Independent Study (SW799 or SW899);
- Extensive consultations between the student and the student’s faculty mentors (both at home and abroad) prior to, during, an following the student’s return to the United States.
2. Research and Study Opportunities at SP2 for International Students
In addition to American students pursing research and educational opportunities outside the United States, SP2 also welcomes nationals of other countries into its degree programs. During the current academic year, approximately 30 international students are enrolled in the School’s masters and doctoral programs. Like their American counterparts many of these students also wish to participate in programs of international study outside of the United States and outside their country of origin.
The administrative and financial arrangements associated with each international student’s enrollment in the School’s degree-granting programs are determined on a case-by-case basis.
Once admitted to any of the School’s degree programs, however, international students may participate in any of the formal or informal study abroad opportunities that are available to other students.
Further, international students are encouraged to use as many of their courses at Penn as practical to deepen their understanding of both the American social work, social welfare and social policy traditions along with those of their country of origin.
Financial Assistance to Students
Limited international travel assistance funds may be available to financially needed students enrolled in any SP2 degree-granting program through the School’s recently established Student International Travel Fund.
3. Visiting Scholars
Since its founding in 1908 the School has served as a temporary home for hundreds of Visiting Scholars from throughout the world. The tradition of welcoming scholars from abroad continues today and is reflected in the many international scholars who regard SP2 as their “research home” while in the United States.
Administrative and financial arrangements relating to Visiting Scholar appointments are highly individualized; in every case, they require a substantial level of self-financing. Typically, proposals for Visiting Scholar appointments are reviewed jointly by the Dean, the SP2 Personnel Committee, and the Director of International Programs. Visiting Scholars normally are appointed for a maximum of two academic semesters.
For its part, SP2 provides Visiting Scholars with an auspice, an SP2 faculty sponsor, office space, computer and internet support, introductions to other scholars at Penn who share similar or related research interests, assistance in setting up an initial schedule of research appointments, and opportunities for Visiting Scholars to discuss their research at various colloquia.
Opportunities also may exist for the development of on-going cooperative research projects between Visiting Scholars and members of the School’s permanent faculty.
Inquiries concerning the School’s various international programs and other activities should be director to Professor Richard Estes, Director of International Programs (restes@sp2.upenn.edu).
