De-colonizing study abroad: social workers confronting racism, sexism and poverty in Guatemala

ABSTRACT

The danger of U.S. or Global North study abroad programs is that students confirm and reinforce colonial notions of culture that privilege Western perspectives. If such experiences are not carefully framed from a human rights perspective, there is a risk that study abroad trips lead to ‘voluntourism.’ This case study of our social work course to Guatemala challenges traditional notions of study abroad, addresses notions of colonialism, and is an example of a human rights approach to a study abroad experience. This paper provides the context and process used by the instructors in the development and implementation of the course. By connecting what students experience in this class to broader issues of race, gender, and history as well as connecting to their own professional development, students experienced an educational program that integrated issues of oppression across national borders, and their understanding of the importance of sustained relationships in the international context. Recommendations and challenges are discussed for those interested in developing such a course.

KEYWORDS:

• Decolonizing study abroad
• human rights approach
• global social work
• international social work

Acknowledgments

This experience would not be possible without the many partners and human rights defenders in Guatemala, who work tirelessly, putting their lives at risk, and generously share their time and knowledge with us and our students, teaching our students how to walk with them and go back to their respective communities with a newfound awareness of our global struggles and a commitment to make a difference.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The cost structure of the program is different for undergraduate students compared to graduate students. Because undergraduates pay a certain fee based on a range of credit hours, they are able to add a study abroad course without necessarily increasing their tuition fees, and only paying the additional program fee. Graduate students pay tuition by credit hour, and thus there is less flexibility in how they are charged for the courses. Students fund their trip just as they fund their regular tuition costs, primarily through student loans.

2. The all-inclusive cost to students for the trip is approximately $3,100. This cost covers all meals, snacks, excursions, housing, flights, in-country transportation, health insurance, and donations to partners. Students only need to bring money for their own souvenir purchasing and beverages containing alcohol.

3. CSWE is the accrediting body for schools of social work in the United States. The CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation and Commission on Educational Policy are responsibility for developing the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), which include competencies in the following dimensions: knowledge, values. skills, and cognitive and affective processes. See https://cswe.org/Accreditation/Standards-and-Policies/2015-EPAS for more information on accreditation standards.

4. A feminist perspective coined and practiced by Indigenous women in Guatemala and Central America; Pomareda, F. (10 July 2017). Mujeres, territories, y feminismos comunitarios. La Agroecóloga: Revista Campesina. http://agroecologa.org/%EF%BB%BFmujeres-territorios-y-feminismos-comunitarios/.

5. The term ‘in-country’ is used throughout the paper to distinguish between the learning time at the home campus and the learning time while in Guatemala. ‘In-country’ refers to the time in Guatemala.

6. Chronic malnutrition differs from acute malnutrition in that it is not due to deficiencies in overall caloric intake. Instead, those who suffer from chronic malnutrition lack the proper nutrients to support physical and cognitive development. Chronic malnutrition is also concentrated among indigenous populations in Guatemala.

7. ‘Were disappeared’ is used here in reference to forced disappearances, which is defined as a person being secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the person’s fate or whereabouts. This qualifies as a crime against humanity, and often implies murder and torture.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Leticia Villarreal Sosa

Leticia Villarreal Sosa is a professor at Dominican’s School of Social Work. She earned her Ph.D. at The University of Chicago. Her research focuses on Latinx youth, school social work, immigrant adaptation, international social work, school equity, and trauma.  She is the Editor in Chief of Children & Schools, and founding Editor in Chief of the International Journal of School Social Work. She also services on the board of the School Social Work Association of America. Her recent book, School Social Work: National Perspectives on Practice in Schools, promotes school social work aligned with the national practice model and a special focus on an intersectional approach to diversity. She has completed two Fulbright Specialist Projects, one in Azerbaijan focused on social work education, and a second in Vietnam focused on the development of school social work.

Jacob Lesniewski

Jacob Lesniewski serves as Co-Country Representative for the Mennonite Central Committee in Guatemala and El Salvador, working to support local church, nonprofit, and grassroots partners in their relief, development, and peace projects in both countries. He previously served as an Associate Professor at Dominican University’s School of Social Work and was one of the leaders of University’s Center for Community Practice and a member of the International Committee of the School of Social Work.  He received his PhD in June 2013 from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. Dr. Lesniewski’s academic and professional expertise is in the areas of organizing and advocacy for low-wage immigrant workers and families, international community development, and leadership and management for social change.