Social Work Study Abroad Programs in the United States & Canada: A Literature Review

Presenter(s)

Shamila Sivakumaran, MSW (she/her/hers)

PhD Candidate
University of Texas at Arlington
Micki Washburn, PhD, LMSW, MA, LPC-S (she/her/hers)

Associate Professor
School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington

This review explores trends, benefits, and challenges of study abroad programs in the United States. Results of 16 studies published between 2000-2024 were synthesized and indicate that learning abroad programs can help to promote social work competency development. Challenges in implementing learning abroad programs are explored.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:

Identify the key components of study abroad programs that foster global competencies among American social work students.
Discuss the barriers encountered by economically disadvantaged and disabled students in participating in learning abroad opportunities.
Implement strategies to make learning abroad programs more equitable and inclusive of diverse student populations.