Personal Growth Towards Intercultural Competence Through an International Field Education Programme

Abstract

An international social work field education programme at the University of South Australia provides social work students with the opportunity to develop intercultural skills and intercultural sensitivity. The programme is conceptualised within a developmental framework that enables the identification of stages of personal growth and professional development from ethnocentrism to ‘interculturality’ or intercultural sensitivity. This framework, alongside the use of a clear ethical perspective and the reflective practice process, is a useful resource to assist students to identify their level of sophistication of cross-cultural competence and to respond to them in ways that facilitate their growth and development towards competent social workers working with difference and across cultures.

Keywords:

• Cross-cultural Social Work
• Interculturality
• Social Work Education

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Frank Tesoriero

Frank Tesoriero is currently working in Tamil Nadu, India, undertaking action research with the Rural Unit for Health and Social Affairs, and teaching in the Master of Social Work at Madras Christian College