The social work department has consistently participated in UM-Flint faculty led study abroad courses. In July 2018, social work students were led by Dr. Otrude Moyo, department chair, on a 3 week course Rethinking Social Development in South Africa.
Highlights of the study abroad:
- Community-based learning component – Students and faculty continued working with Ubuntu Arts & Dialogues in Diversity. This year UM-Flint students assisted with refurbishing the comprehensive school library and set the pace for the first Community Read Project beginning January 14th, 2019. As a way of amplifying Ubuntu, Intergenerational community members meet to read and discuss Sindiwe Magona’s novel Mother-to-Mother and how to improve their own well-being.
- In 2018, the UM-Flint social work department was among three nationwide programs awarded the Counsel on Social Work Education (CSWE) Katherine A. Kendall Institute for International Social Work Education, to facilitate the internationlization of our curriculum in collaboration with the social work department at the University of Fort Hare. Last semester, the social work department engaged in three Brown Bag dialogues on how to connect the local-global issues in our curriculum. Additionally, in Fall 2018 the social work department has been engaging Virtual Town Hall meetings with the University of Fort Hare to connect the local-global perspectives.
- Students who participated in the Summer 2018 study abroad course Rethinking Social Development in South Africa, were matched with pen-pals from the University of Fort Hare. Over two days, UM-Flint study abroad students met their pen-pals for a symposium at the Steve Biko Center in King Williams Town, South Africa. Around 30 students and faculty presented at the two-day symposium, and papers presented are being co-developed for future publication. A second symposium is anticipated for April of 2019 at the University of Michigan-Flint.
Students from UM-Flint met with their pen-pals from the University of Fort Hare for a two day symposium.
To read an overview of the study abroad course, please click South Africa Study Abroad Overview 2018F.