Staff perspectives: challenges, opportunities, outcomes

1. Staff perspectives: challenges, opportunities, outcomes Dr. Janet Anand and Dr. Chaitali Das

2. Challenges and Responses • Euro-western perspectives and engagement • Critical perspective • Mutuality • Links at an academic level • Relating it to core business (Context of NI, sustainability, recognition) • Linking it with universities and professional agendas

3. Challenges and Responses • Practicalities (funding, safety, communication, models) • Ad hoc, pilot • Experimental with a considered level of risk taking • Courageous • Building partnerships at different levels (different agendas, different expectations, levels of resources, cultures, power)

4. Opportunities • Exposure to a global context (university and professional agenda) • The context as a learning experience: multiple exposures • Exploring new approaches to learning • critical reflection • peer learning • Gains in knowledge and skills • Critique local practice • Self awareness • Opportunities • Partnerships • Collaborations • Publications • Presentations

5. Reflections • Our students need to be exposed to a global context • Unparalleled site for learning (student presentation demonstrates this) • Partnerships with students is essential • Make use of ad hoc opportunities • Use existing links with other institutions • Enable critical learning

6. Student Perspectives on International Exchange Reflections on Problems, Opportunities and Outcomes Claire Doherty, Lauren Donnelly, Naomi Ferguson

7. Opportunities for Students • Personal Challenge • Professional Development • Development of cultural competency • Knowledge of globalisation and global oppression • Sharing of ideas and skills • Situational learning

8. Challenges and Responses • NI social work role – too defined • In how it is presented to students • International exchange does not fit easily • Demographic of students - Personal reasons that make the opportunity impractical • Communication and cultural differences • The ability to effectively separate contexts

9. Outcomes • General benefits of exchange trips -cultural competency, sensitivity, awareness, ne learning and life experiences • ‘Unintended’ outcomes resulted in our greatest learning opportunities • Facilitated learning about our own culture and community • Northern Ireland and the legacy of ‘The Troubles’ • Division and social injustice in a different context • Division and injustice on a global level • The opportunity to discuss and reflect – ‘learner to learner’