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Monica Franco and Kamal Khatiwada have more in common than being graduates of the unique Faculty of Social Work International and Community Development Master’s program. They are both students who have participated in mentoring and training with the Transforming the Field Education Landscape (TFEL) project. This partnership develops, informs, and mobilizes innovative and promising practices in field education by providing training and mentorship for Canada’s next generation of social workers. As students, they worked as TFEL research assistants in 2021-22, a special time when they gained relevant hands-on experience.

As a former international human rights lawyer in Colombia, Monica has a strong vocation for social justice. Being a research assistant with TFEL was a game-changer for her professional journey while pursuing a new career.

“One of the most important things I have learned is the critical role that research plays in our profession. Thanks to the TFEL Project, practice research is now part of my perspective as a social worker. Now, I cannot imagine having a role in advocating or developing a community program if I do not include research activities in my work. I learned this when I was drafting a survey report and literature reviews. Practice research can create new perspectives, improve processes and projects, and provide solid bases for any social work intervention”.

For Kamal, who grew up in a UN refugee camp in southern Nepal, the TFEL experience was enriching and enabled him to discover new perspectives and realities in field education, particularly in Canada and Africa.

“At TFEL, I contributed to developing training modules, co-facilitated focus groups, analyzed data and drafted publications and reports. I also contributed to knowledge mobilization activities. I was happy to co-present preliminary findings of the State of Social Work Field Education in Africa at the Association of Social Work Educators in Kenya International Conference”.

Their stories of resilience, commitment, and social justice advocacy merge with their newly acquired knowledge and skills. Kamal completed his practicum with TFEL and is ready to take on other tasks. “Field education not only allows students to put theory into practice but also prepares students to address complex challenges”.

On the other hand, Monica assures that the support and spirit of collaboration lived with TFEL made a vast difference in the worst days of the pandemic.

“I like many things about my experience with the TFEL project. Its collaborative approach provides a really good experience. Throughout social isolation during the pandemic, the TFEL project team made me feel very connected and included. I can say, from my computer in my office at home, that I have experienced the privilege of working with great people who welcome diversity”.

With TFEL they learned and applied valuables skills for their practice as social workers. The experience sparked their research interest and prepared them to transform new realities through social work.

Follow the links to learn more about their backgrounds and stories

Class of 2022: Former international human rights lawyer finds new calling in her new home

Class of 2022: Against all odds, from refugee camp to social work

This module is designed for both students who have an interest in completing their social work practicum internationally and the field educators who are involved in facilitating such practicum. The information contained in this module will benefit students, field instructors, field education coordinators, and social work field education programs involved in the international practicum process. The training module is divided into three parts. Part one of the module presents an overview of international social work, with attention given to the contemporary context of globalization, critical social work practice, and social work values and principles in international contexts, including the benefits, challenges, and ethical dilemmas associated with international practicum. Part two of this training module addresses international field placement preparation, and part three focuses on supervision, the use of technology, and the importance of debriefing after an international practicum. While much of this module is relevant to both students and field instructors, some additional information specific to either students or instructors will be provided; this information will be highlighted under separate headings labelled for the intended audience. The combination of this information may also provide a reasonable guideline for expectations between students and field instructors.

Access the TFEL International Practicum Training Module here.

This online certificate provides the Ontario youth sector with the foundational knowledge to cultivate practices, policies and alliances that challenge, disrupt and combat systematic anti-Black racism.

Access the modules here.

Access this TFEL Training Module Course here