International Education Week, Nov 13-17, 2023

November 10, 2023

“With our strong commitment to promoting international social work education and global learning opportunities so our students are well prepared to serve our global communities in the state of Indiana and beyond, we are excited to celebrate the 2023 International Education Week,” says Dr. Carmen Luca Sugawara, director of international and global affairs, IU School of Social Work.

Spotlighting this year’s theme – International Education is the Future – from November 13 to 17, 2023, the IU School of Social Work will organize events highlighting the importance of global social work education and practice.

Please join us in celebrating and learning about our work.

This year, we welcome special guest, Andre de Vos, MSW. Mr. deVos has led the Department of Social Work Services at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, for over 20 years. He has also been a clinical social worker in surgical and renal units for 33 years at the same hospital. He participated in the Council of International Programs in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1988-1989.

Mr. deVos holds a Master’s Degree in Social Science in Clinical Social Work from the University of Cape Town (1997) and is a registered Social Worker. He was also the former Chair of the Medical Social Work Forum in the Cape Town metro region. He has experience in the NGO sector in child protection and offender rehabilitation. His clinical interests include psychosocial aspects and assessments for liver and lung transplants, palliative care, and individual psychotherapy.

He is part of a task team for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness. He is passionate about social work education and has been supervising international social work students from Ireland and the USA for more than two decades.

2023 Events

Below are events showcasing some of the IU School of Social Work’s international and global social work with an attention to our faculty’s research, study abroad opportunities, and global partnerships. Events are held on the IU Indianapolis or Bloomington campuses. Most events are both in-person and online.

Monday, November 13, 2023, IU School of Social Work Education Abroad Courses #

Wanna travel to see the world and strengthen your readiness to work in global social work practice? Come learn about the opportunities to participate in Education Abroad courses the school has to offer. This event is open to BSW and MSW students.

Time: 12PM – 1:30PM
Event: In-person on the Indianapolis campus and Online
To attend, please REGISTER

Monday, November 13, 2023, Spotlighting Education Abroad in South Africa #

Learn about Study Abroad Practicums from former students: Chelsea Walter, Andi Ley, Kaitlyn Jungblunt, and Crystal Wade. Each will share their stories. Special guest, Andre deVos, MSW, Social Work Manager at Groote Schuur Hospital, Capetown, South Africa, has hosted IU School of Social Work students for over ten years, including our student panel, and will be on hand to discuss opportunities for students interested in global mental health and health practice social work.

Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Event: Online
To attend, please REGISTER

Tuesday, November 14, 2023, Improving Access to Care of Adults Living with Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders in Nigeria, Africa #

Join Dr. Khadija Khaja and Dr. Noreen E. Agbapuonwu as they discuss “Improving Access to Care of Adults Living with Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders in Nigeria, Africa.”

The interdisciplinary research team was represented by academic disciplines from schools in nursing, medicine and social work from Nigeria, Kenya, India, and the United States. This presentation will share findings from a qualitative community-engaged study conducted in Nigeria, Africa, that explored the perspectives of patients, family members, community health workers, nurses, physicians, community leaders, and government officials on treatment pathways and treatment decisions regarding mental, neurological and substance use disorders among adult patients. This study makes an important contribution to understanding and addressing two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – to improve good health/wellbeing and reduce inequalities in Africa.

Dr. Khadija Khaja, Indiana University
Dr. Noreen E. Agbapuonwu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria, Africa

Time: 9:30AM – 10:30AM
Event: Online
To attend, please REGISTER

Tuesday, November 14, 2023, Meet Andre deVos: Social Work Manager at South Africa’s Top Hospital and Mentor for Study Abroad Students #

As the Social Work Manager at Groote Schuur Hospital in Capetown, South Africa, Andre deVos, will talk about his social work journey, the importance of Groote Schuur Hospital in providing health and social care, and the life-changing experiences for students who have opted for a study abroad practicum.

Time: 11:30AM – 12:30PM
Event: In-Person Bloomington campus and Online
To attend, please REGISTER

Tuesday, November 14, 2023, IU School of Social Work Education Abroad Courses #

This event is open to BSW and MSW students.

Time: 12:30PM – 1:30PM
Event: In-person on the Bloomington campus and online.

To attend, please REGISTER

Tea Time Around the World #

Come and drink Chai and learn about education abroad programming at the IU School of Social Work.

Time:2PM – 4PM
Event: In-Person on the Bloomington campus
Location: Health Science Building, First Floor Hallway

HSB first floor hallway

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Social Work Services at Groote Schuur Hospital with Andre deVos, MSW #

Please join us in honoring over a decade and a half of partnership in strengthening community-based global learning, international social work education, and a continuing commitment to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Andre deVos, MSW, Social Work Manager of Groote Schuur Hospital, Capetown, South Africa’s premier academic Hospital, has hosted MSW students abroad for over a decade from our School and other schools of social work globally. Andre will discuss his experiences as a social worker, the vital role of Groote Schuur Hospital in health and social care delivery, and the transformational learning opportunities for students who have chosen a study abroad practicum.

Time: 12PM – 1:30PM
Event: In-Person on the Indianapolis Campus and Online
To attend, please REGISTER

Thursday, November 16, 2023, Exploring Human Rights, Racial Identity, and Racial Solidarity with Ghanaian College Students #

Join us online with a presentation by Dr. Eric Kyere as he discusses “Exploring Human Rights, Racial Identity, and Racial Solidarity with Ghanaian College Students: Critical Role of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery.”

Drawing on the theory of collective cultural trauma, the current pilot study engaged Ghanaian college students in a two-week experiential learning process to critically reflect on both historical and contemporary forms of White supremacy and anti-Black racism. The purpose of the study was to assess participants’ perception of the relevance of the history of the system of race-based transatlantic slave trade (TST) and slavery during the 16th to the 19th centuries in relation to collective consciousness, identity development, and solidarity between the participants (Africans) and African Americans (diasporic Africans) towards disruption of White supremacy anti-Black racism.