Global Opportunities

Social Work is a Global Profession

The need for social work is universal. More countries are turning to the profession to address not only ordinary human struggles but also the consequences of social inequality, human dislocation, and other structural conditions. How social work is practiced in communities around the world is shaped by local cultures, customs, and policies. NYU Silver offers an array of global learning and research opportunities through which students are immersed in different cultures; examine the distinct values, ethics, ideologies, and approaches to social work practice; and develop cross-cultural competencies and perspective. 

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A Unique Social Work Degree for Global Practice

Our MSW Program at Shanghai and New York is the only MSW program of an American university in China. It educates students for global social work in a deep way, reflecting on cultural, social, political, and economic similarities and differences across these two countries. Through our generalist practice curriculum in Shanghai and specialized practice curriculum in New York City, students study and conduct practicum work in two complex and dynamic urban environments, and receive individualized attention with small class sizes, full support for cross-cultural learning, and access to the vast resources and services at both campuses.

Intensive Study Away Courses

Note: The University is continuing to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on future travel

Buenos Aires, Argentina | Core Concepts in Child and Adolescent Trauma

This course, held in a country that was collectively traumatized by a brutal military dictatorship, focuses on the impact of trauma on the child, adolescent, and family, and provides a foundation for assessment, crisis intervention, and treatment. The curriculum is based on twelve guiding core concepts about trauma and utilizes a problem-based learning approach, in which in-depth case studies about the impact of trauma are presented so that students experience “real” cases as they actually unfold in practice. Access this video, in which Clinical Professor Diane Mirabito speaks about the course and then learn more about this study away opportunity at NYU Buenos Aires.

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Glasgow, Scotland | Comparative Mental Health Policy and Practice in the U.K. and the U.S.

This is a comparative social policy course based in England, Wales, and Scotland. It takes a cross-cultural and cross-national approach to social policy, focusing specifically on racial and gender equity and mental health policy. By comparing social welfare states both across the U.K. and the U.S., and within the U.K., the course explores differing values and ideology. Informed by our MSW program’s critical frameworks, the course considers how these differences relate to diversity, equity and inclusion. Press play to access this video, in which Professor Victoria Stanhope describes this course and then learn more about this study away opportunity in London, Cardiff, and Glasgow.

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Both study abroad trips I took ‒ Scotland for international policy and Israel for treatment of children of substance-dependent parents ‒ were critical to my personal and professional development.

Christopher Longo, MSW '19

A Student’s View on Studying Abroad: “Do it if you can!”

Natalie Asalgado, MSW ’20, and 17 classmates traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for our ten-day course on Core Concepts in Child and Adolescent Trauma taught by Clinical Professor Diane Mirabito. Through class sessions at NYU Buenos Aires and site visits to youth-serving agencies across the city, Natalie and her peers enhanced their understanding of traumatic stress responses in children and families and how trauma influences children's lives.  According to Natalie, "Study away opportunities provide unique, immersive experiences that enhance our classroom learning I loved learning new subject material in a new environment... When I was in Buenos Aires, I could be fully present to process the course material and get to know my professor and my classmates on a more personal level."

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