Member Voices

My international work began with a study abroad in Berlin, Germany, where I focused on refugee resettlement policy work. I attended meetings with European Union representatives, participated in a Q&A with Mr. Tobias Winkler, a German Member of the Bundestag, and even had the opportunity to shake hands and speak with Julia Klöckner, the President of the German Bundestag.

I met with German social workers, listened to refugees’ firsthand stories, and visited two refugee camps, gaining a glimpse into the complexity of life for people from around the world. I was particularly struck by the rectifying mindset of the German population, committed to doing right after WWII.

Within the camps, I witnessed extreme trauma, grief, and uncertainty: single mothers holding their babies while waiting for an interpreter to navigate paperwork, men standing near playgrounds longing to rejoin a peaceful society outside of a camp, and children being taught words in a language they had never heard before. Yet I also saw the utmost care, organization, and passion for assisting those in need. Amid immense differences, I realized there is one universal culture, one language, one model, that brings us all together, and that is love.

After spending the remainder of the summer abroad, I came back to the USA and secured a six-month practicum in New Zealand at a nurse-led clinic providing cervical health services to Māori and Pasifika women. In a completely different setting, I was again confronted with the richness and diversity between cultures. My role as a health promoter allows me to attend community events, giving me opportunities to speak with women from all backgrounds. I have learned extensively about cervical health, New Zealand healthcare, Māori culture, colonization, and how systemic inequalities continue to shape Indigenous communities. Working alongside Māori practitioners and community members has reinforced the importance of cultural humility and accountability. I am continually impressed by New Zealand’s efforts to reintegrate Māori culture into the country’s overarching framework post-colonization. Additionally, my co-workers come from diverse backgrounds, including China, South Africa, Australia, and both Māori and Pākehā communities. Hearing their stories, upbringing, and ways of life has been profoundly impactful for me and the women we serve.

These placements challenged me to adapt my skills across cultural contexts, question Western-centered approaches, and embrace learning as a way of life. International social work is about mutual exchange, and these experiences affirmed my desire to continue pursuing global efforts toward social justice. Now at 25, I carry with me the lessons from Germany and New Zealand: to listen first, to remain humble, and to approach all communities with respect, curiosity, and with a lifelong commitment to being a student of the world.

I was quick to speak with my advisor following the interview, seeking reassurance that provided me relief. However, as the fall 2025 semester reached mid-way, it was evident that cycles of rumination and lack of confidence were winning. This started appearing in smaller ways, the increasing amount of unread emails, and blank documents instead of written paragraphs. I began to question my sense of belonging in the program, and my role, and the inability to feel confident in my work. In turn, I was deeply lacking motivation, but in need to regain some self-compassion.

I had some conversations with my supervisor and therapist and was able to connect with some classmates. It was through these conversations with my peers that I was able to interpret other perspectives. We are all in a place where our confidence is being questioned, in varying levels. Graduate school creates new challenging opportunities, and self-doubt is such a normal part of this or any learning process. I was starting to believe that talking to other people helps you feel less alone, and I was feeling better. Conceptually, I understood this. Still, I needed to actually put this idea into practice, and that was not going to happen with social work alone; it was already too ingrained. I needed another avenue and a way to connect to the present moment.

I decided to sign up for a pottery class. I was dreadful at it, I was nervous, and felt awkward and out of place, just like I did in social work. The class progressed, and I learned the basic ideas behind techniques. My instructor demonstrated how to make a cylinder looking mug; mine reflected a lopsided bowl, but I was creating, intrigued and excited to go to class. It didn’t matter that my pieces were misshapen; I was starting to feel more grounded. Eventually, looking back, I realized this pottery class taught me what social work is teaching me now: growth comes from practice, not perfection.

My confidence and anxiety haven’t been magically fixed by one pottery class and conversations with others, but they don’t need to be. In the social work field, connection, sincerity, and care plays a large role, and it’s important we give ourselves that same kindness. Doubts will arise, and when they appear, reaching out and engaging in self-care are essential. We aren’t alone in this journey, and by supporting each other, we are better equipped for the challenges ahead.