Loyola University Chicago

The Loyola University of Chicago’s School of Social Work is thrilled to announce many exciting international opportunities for students and alumni! The School of Social Work is offering courses in India, Rome, and Beijing, as well as field placement opportunities in Mexico.

Alumni of Loyola University's School of Social Work are able to register for international courses and receive a 50% cost reduction!

In order to earn course credit, alumni will need to register at Loyola as a non-degree seeking student. Those who are solely seeking CEUs do not need to be admitted as a non-degree seeking student.

For more information on any of the international programs, please contact Jose Fabian at jfabian1@luc.edu or 312-915-7638.

International Winter Opportunity:

India:

January 2, 2010 - January 14, 2010
SOWK 634: Social Work in India

This course will supplement the experiences of students as they travel to different places within India and get oriented to the people, culture, practice and policy of social work in India. Students will be exposed to international developmental work and local non-profit organizations in northern and southern regions providing an understanding of the multicultural, multi-religious society of India. Students will gain an understanding of the relevant practice interventions used in working with local communities. They will also grasp the outcomes of economic changes on social relationships and the changing patterns of needs and gaps that have to be addressed by effective clinical pratice. In addition, students will learn about the importance of understanding diversity, systems of oppression, and advocacy as components of  responsible clinical practice.

International Summer Opportunities:

Beijing:

May 16, 2010 -May 24, 2010
SOWK 634 Special Topics: Global Social Issues and Social Work Responses
Students will earn 3 credit hours.
Dr. Daniel Lee and Dr. Phil Hong

The Beijing Center is located at the Beijing University of International Business and Economics in the Chaoyang district. The campus is centrally located, providing easy access to the metro line and most areas of the city.  It is a 25-minute taxi ride from the airport, a 15-minute ride from downtown, and a 10-minute ride to major shopping centers. On campus, there is a 24-hour medical clinic, four cafeterias, restaurants, and indoor and outdoor athletic facilities.

Potential Tours and Cultural Trips include:

• The Great Wall
• Summer Palace
• Forbidden City
• Tian An men Square
• Temple of Heaven
• Olympic Park
• Pearl Market

Other activities will include a Welcome Reception Banquet Dinner and the Farewell Dinner in addition to campus and city tours.
 
Depending on participant's own travel agenda, small groups or individuals could arrange local tours to various sites such as Siam, Shanghai, and elsewhere beyond the scheduled Beijing Summer Session.
 

Program includes:

• 7 program days
• 8 nights, double room occupancy 
• Agency and site visits
• Airport pickup and dropoff
• Bilingual staff support
• 5 lectures from the Beijing Center Staff and 5 lectures from LUC faculty
  

Many shops, markets, and restaurants are within walking distance from the campus. 

Accommodations: Loyola University students have the option of staying at the Beijing Center campus or at a local hotel conveniently located across campus.

Rome:

Two different course options, can be taken separately or together. 
1st course, May 17-21, 2010 (Students will earn 3 credit hours)
2nd Course: May 24- June 4, 2010 (Students will earn 3 credit hours)

Loyola has a unique campus in Rome, Italy, where classes have been taught for the past seven summers. The beautiful John Felice Rome Center is strategically located only twenty minutes by bus from Rome’s center and the Vatican. This summer, students and alumni may choose to register for one or both courses being offered in May. Each class is worth three credit hours. For those who already hold an MSW degree, this is a wonderful chance to earn CEUs or course credit hours.

Accommodations: Loyola University students have the option of staying at  the  John Felice Rome Center campus or at a local hotel conveniently located across campus.

For more information on Rome Center campus housing, please visit http://www.luc.edu/romecenter/studenthandbook_housing.html#residence.

Students also have a wide variety of options available at the Residence Mallia, a 15-minute walk from Loyola’s Rome Center, where classes are held; students may rent a single or double hotel room with other students. Prices at Residence Mallia range according to the number of occupants in room and the duration of stay. Visit http://www.mallia.it.

1st course:
May 17-21, 2010; This course will be taught in collaboration with partners from Italian universities.

2nd course:
May 24-June 4, 2010;LUC faculty to be announced. Course will be on aging from an international prespective.

More information on the Rome courses will be posted soon.

Thoughts from students who have traveled abroad:

"Studying at the Rome Center was one of the academic highlights of my graduate social work work career. The learning process expanded beyond the classroom to enhance my experience through the inclusion of guest speakers from local organizations, organized field trips and cultural immeersion. My professors pushed us to apply the concepts that we were learning in the classroom to our daily encounters with the people, culture and history of Rome.
- Alex Murphy  (Rome Center, Summer '07)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     "This  was my first trip to Europe and I really enjoyed seeing how other people live in a western country outside the US.  It opened my eyes to how American society is based on consumption, rather than necessity."
- Lily Peter (Rome Center, Summer ’08)

Mexico:

For the last four years, Loyola University Chicago students have been involved in intensive field placements with the people and communities of the rural village of Chiapas.  These field-work placements have challenged students to apply the classroom knowledge to real-life situations and challenges in these extraordinary communities. Loyola University School of Social Work is creating ways to better prepare our students for practice with immigrant communities.  We are connecting students with placements that will enhance their understanding of the complex policy, practice, and administrative issues. Students will collaborate with vulnerable communities and families impacted by migration and provide culturally responsive social work services and interventions.  Partcipation in Mexico is available to both Spanish speakers and Spanish learners. 

All those who are interested are strongly encouraged to attend the planning meetings to receive additional information and applications 

Thoughts from students who have traveled abroad:

"My field placement in Mexico was a fascinating and eye-opening experience. This has been one of the most enriching experiences of my professional life.  The depth of knowledge gained is beyond comparison to any similar opportunity… Also, the history, ruins, people, and culture are all so exciting!!"
- Lina Munoz (San Cristobal, Chiapas, Summers  ‘07, ’08)

"Mexico was life-changing and an experience that will be with me forever.  I went to Mexico to learn about the "other side" of migration and to have a cross-cultural experience.  I lived the culture, spoke the language and spent time getting to know the people.  This amazing experience allowed me to come back feeling more prepared as a bilingual and bicultural social worker ready to help the many Latino families living in the U.S."
- Jessica Martone (San Cristobal, Chiapas, Summer ’08)

"While in Mexico, working directly with an international population has given me great insight into myself and my future career as a social worker.  Witnessing the seriousness of the global issues first hand, such as extreme poverty and immigration, was an eye-opening experience.  It gave me the opportunity to develop my professional skills on a global perspective.  Moreover, I developed personally.  I realized a lot about myself, what skills I need to focus on in the future, how global issues are perceived internationally, and was able to do such things within a different culture."
- Matt Brown (San Cristobal, Chiapas, Summers ‘07 and ‘08)