The world needs more determined and compassionate advocates, now more than ever.
In honour of March being Social Work Month, we wanted to share the amazing and diverse placement experiences of some of our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) students, in order to highlight the fact that social work is an incredibly wide-ranging field that extends into all areas of the community.
Meet Ariel, an MSW student currently completing her placement at Saxion University in the Netherlands.
Here's what she had to say about her experience at her placement, studying at Renison's School of Social Work, and the broader field of social work.
Tell us a bit about yourself, what brought you to Renison and Social Work?
Hello! My name is Ariel (she/her) and I am a Registered Social Worker (RSW) currently pursuing my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Renison University College. I live with my partner in London, Ontario which is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples. In my personal life, I enjoy all things outdoors (e.g. camping and hiking) as well as trying new plant-based recipes! I was drawn to Renison’s unique health-focused MSW program because, as a child and youth mental health therapist, I wanted to be challenged outside my comfort zone of direct practice. Since starting the program, I have already learned a great deal more about social justice, health equity, and research in health settings.
Tell us a bit about the work you’re doing in your placement – what are your general responsibilities?
I have the incredible privilege of completing my MSW research placement in the Netherlands, as part of an inter-institutional collaboration between University of Waterloo, University of Alberta, and Saxion University of Applied Sciences. Here, I will contribute to the Cross-Cultural Responsive and Accessible Technologies for Societal Impact (CCTS) research project by engaging in activities such as knowledge exchanges, visiting social work agencies and health care settings the Netherlands, supporting existing research projects, delivering lectures, and supporting social work course development at Renison. With such a wide range of learning opportunities, my daily responsibilities are varied and always incredibly enriching!
How do you think your studies in Renison’s School of Social Work have helped you in your placement?
My studies at Renison have prepared me to approach this placement with a critical and reflective lens that connects to social work values. The role of technology in health care is rapidly advancing, so it’s important that social workers be open, adaptable, and prepared to approach this reality. In discussions about social technologies, I am able to draw on my course learning about policy and ethical considerations, as well as ask critical questions that ensure we are centering the voices and participation of marginalized groups and communities in technology development and implementation.
How do you think your placement will prepare you for your career in Social Work?
As I have mentioned, this placement is working that advocacy and critical reflection muscle in my mind, preparing me for important interdisciplinary collaborations in my future social work practice. It’s also preparing me for the growing presence of technology in my practice, research, and education. I find that it’s natural, almost easy, for social workers to be skeptical about the risks and ethical considerations that technology brings, such as privacy, depersonalization, and accessibility. It’s much harder to imagine how we can embrace technology for societal change, while being sure to center client and community needs and outcomes first, and work processes only second. This practicum is preparing me for just that, and it’s building my confidence to be a strong advocate for the role of social work in technology adoption. As I see it, technology is advancing with or without us, so it’s better that it be with us – those who will fight for the wellbeing of all.
What has been the most surprising thing about your placement?
Let’s start with the acknowledgement that this placement itself is completely beyond my wildest dreams! But isn’t that the beauty of social work – it spans so many topics and practice settings globally. It’s hard to be surprised by something that you have no comparison for, and yet I am surprised each day. I’m in awe of the available technologies here in the Netherlands and the myriad research projects occurring at Saxion University, led by teams of incredibly intelligent researchers. As a student, I am especially interested in the ways technology is being used and/or adapted for use in social work education, to prepare future professionals. I am also pleasantly surprised by the similarities, and inspired by the differences, between Canada and the Netherlands in terms of health care delivery and paradigms. Although it’s unfortunate to be facing the same global strains related to funding, legislation, stigma, staffing shortages, and demands on the healthcare system, it is also a very connective experience to share a vision for a way forward.
What do you think is the biggest misconception that people have about Social Workers?
While there are many public misconceptions about social work, such as viewing only a narrow scope of practice and career options, I think it is most interesting to consider misconceptions from within the field. At times, I hear from/about social workers who believe that their work is apolitical. Yet, I believe everything we do as individuals is political, even beyond working hours. This has been understood since early activism efforts and popularized by the phrase “the personal is political” during second-wave feminism. So, the belief that social work practice can exist without consideration of politics is a complete misconception. In fact, the values and ethical code of the profession demand that we work towards a more just and equitable world through activism, advocacy, and service. Many are doing so already, but this work is ongoing. Be political, be loud!
What advice would you give to someone who is considering studying Social Work?
The world needs more determined and compassionate advocates, now more than ever. While pursuing a degree in social work will be challenging, it will simultaneously be the most rewarding journey. My advice is to enter with a genuine passion for supporting others, on both the micro and macro levels, and to hone in on your commitments to the sustainability of yourself and the communities that are important to you. When you can channel your passion into what matters most to you, you will see the ripple effects for a lifetime!
Learn more
Want to learn more about social work? Check out Renison's School of Social Work, and stay tuned for more student features coming soon!