In May of 2010 I graduated from UW-Superior and received my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. As an undergraduate at UW-Superior I did my social work internship abroad through the University of Regina in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. It was one of the best experiences of my college career. I arrived in Regina in January and left in April with a long list of new friends from around the world.

Being awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship gave me this educational experience of a lifetime. The scholarship is for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to study abroad or to do their internship abroad. I would encourage undergraduate students to get more information and to apply for the scholarship through The Office of International Programs, located in Old Main 337.

            My internship placement was at the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services (PATHS) of Saskatchewan, a non-profit organization, in downtown Regina. PATHS vision is a society free from violence against women and children. The mission of PATHS is to provide integrated, collaborative support for PATHS members (domestic violence shelters), who work with women directly or indirectly exposed to violence, and to provide research, program development, public awareness and education on personal and family violence in Saskatchewan.

            In Canada, approximately 80% of women in the domestic violence shelters are Aboriginal women. In my internship I was assigned to develop a Program Evaluation tool to evaluate the domestic violence shelters to see if the services to Aboriginal women were cultural appropriate. Also, I assisted with the Women of Status Canada project by developing a new training model for PATHS members on Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) culture.

This macro level practice setting gave me opportunities to participate in community events and attend Housing and Anti-Poverty meetings. I was invited to attend the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly Chamber for the presentation of the “Budget Address” by the Honourable Rod Gantefoer, Minister of Finance, at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. Following the “Budget Address” I had tea with key government officials and people from Saskatchewan. This experience gave me a glimpse into how Canadians govern themselves.

            I had the opportunity to travel throughout Saskatchewan and met a lot of people from different cultural backgrounds. A highlight of my travels was to File Hill Qu’Appelle, a First Nations reserve. I toured the Qu’Appelle Haven Safe Shelter, White Raven Healing Centre, All Nations Healing Hospital, and the Treaty Four Governance Centre/Teepee Conference Room.

            I would encourage undergraduates to do their internship abroad. Doing an internship abroad or studying abroad would be an opportunity to learn about other cultures and to learn another language.

            This internship aboard further convinced me to pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work. I’m currently in the Masters of Social Work program, with a concentration in Community Practice, at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I’m advanced standing and will graduate in one year. In addition, I’m doing my graduate field placement at the University of Minnesota Women’s Center.