LGBT Family Camp as Cultural Immersion for Social Work Students

Abstract

This article presents a model, based on traditional study-abroad programs, for social work students' cultural immersion with local populations. Students who volunteered at an LGBT-parent family camp reported on the impact of the experience in the areas of knowledge about diversity, professional and personal identity, skill development, and managing emotional reactions. Data analysis suggested that learning occurred in all areas identified in the model. BSW students reported increased awareness of the importance of social policy and advocacy skills, leadership characteristics, ability to work with others, and self-awareness as foundations in working across cultural difference. The authors suggest that participants acquired skills generalizable across cultures and applicable to the diverse settings in which social workers practice. Implications include suggestions for social work pedagogy relevant to the development of meaningful goals for teaching about culture in social work programs.

Engaging MSW Students in Policy Practice

“…The author used no formal method of qualitative analysis; however, according to the author, the students reported that the course and its infused policy project gave them a better understanding of course content, various levels of government, and advocacy; made them more marketable; and encouraged them to become involved in various policy activities. Similarly, in a course involving a cultural immersion program, service-learning facilitated an understanding of the link between policy and advocacy (Mercier, Harold, Johnson, & Pond, 2016). Twenty-eight undergraduate social work/pre-social work students over a period of three years participated in a week-long camp for LGBT-parent families.…”