International social work exchange brings global perspectives to WMU students
A visit from a social worker in Germany gave Western Michigan University students firsthand insight into child welfare, family services and cross-cultural social work practice.
Students in Western Michigan University’s SWRK 4010: Task Groups and Organizations course recently welcomed Leila Joerger, a social worker visiting from Freiburg, Germany, who shared her professional experiences and insights into social work practice abroad.
The visit was coordinated by Christopher Hodshire, senior professional instructor in the School of Social Work, through Global Ties Kalamazoo, a nonprofit organization that fosters international understanding through professional and cultural exchanges.
Joerger holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree and studied at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences in Freiburg and in Helsinki, Finland. She also completed an internship in Vienna, Austria, gaining experience with social services in different European settings.
For more than three years, Joerger worked for the Department for Children, Youth and Families in Freiburg, contributing to child protective services and preventive programs supporting children, young people and families.
She is participating in a two-month professional job-shadowing program in Kalamazoo before returning to Germany. During her stay, she has observed local social service and community-based programs, including juvenile probation, Children’s Protective Services, Heart for Home respite foster care and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Bringing global perspectives into the classroom
Joerger’s visit complemented the course’s focus on groups, organizations, collaboration and human services. By learning about her work in Germany and her observations of U.S. social service agencies, students explored how organizational structures, public policies, cultural contexts and community partnerships influence social work practice.
The exchange also reinforced the importance of critical thinking and cultural humility in preparing future social workers. Learning about approaches used in other countries encourages students to challenge assumptions, consider alternative models of service delivery and apply new perspectives to their professional development.
Hodshire emphasized the value of bringing international practitioners into the classroom.
“Social work does not stop at national borders, and neither should our students’ understanding of the profession,” Hodshire said. “Having Leila Joerger share her firsthand experiences from Germany offered our students a meaningful opportunity to look beyond familiar systems, compare approaches to child and family services, and appreciate how culture, policy, and organizational practices shape the delivery of care.”
Hodshire added that international exchanges encourage students to think critically, approach differences with cultural humility and recognize opportunities for collaboration across countries. He also thanked Global Ties Kalamazoo, Jodi Hope Michaels and her team for facilitating the experience.
Building connections through international exchange
Global Ties Kalamazoo connects international visitors with local institutions, professionals and community organizations to encourage cross-cultural learning and strengthen international relationships.
Jodi Hope Michaels, the organization’s longtime executive director, has helped coordinate exchanges that provide visiting professionals with firsthand exposure to U.S. practices while giving local students and practitioners opportunities to learn from international counterparts.
Through experiences such as Joerger’s job-shadowing program, participants build professional relationships and gain a broader understanding of how communities in different countries approach shared challenges.
Extending learning across social work courses
In addition to visiting Hodshire’s SWRK 4010 class, Joerger met with students in Mark Henson-Boglen’s SWRK 6600: Seminar on Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups.
Her visits extended the international learning opportunity to students studying different aspects of the profession, from organizational and community systems to direct practice with individuals and families.
The exchange demonstrated how international partnerships can enrich social work education by exposing students to different professional practices, service systems and cultural perspectives.
To learn more about Global Ties Kalamazoo click here. To learn more about WMU’s social work program click here.