Many things have entered into preparing for this final internship in my Concentration year of my MSW program through UAA. I knew that I wanted to do my final internship in a block format, to really immerse myself into an agency to best focus on the learning and service. I looked at options available and I decided to follow my heart back to New Zealand, where my family lived for 11 months in !997-1998.
I began by corresponding with Universities in New Zealand, Schools of Social Work, to see if they might be able to assist an international student from Alaska, to connect with an agency, connect with a agency representative as well as a supervising MSW with the appropriate degree. Massey University , in particular, Kathryn Hays contacted me and we began a year long journey to try to work out the logistics for this practicum experience. Through many emails, faxes, background checks, liability insurance, University requirements and forms, we have finally arranged it all for me to do my practicum in New Zealand.
I am anticipating a big growing experience and a chance to taste a bit of social work in a mental health unit in a hospital setting. I chose Palmerston North as a potential internship site for the following reasons: Location, responsiveness to my request, access to former friends by riding a hour and a half by public bus ride, and the cultural aspects that it offered to me. Just for a bit of personal history, I have traveled to NZ three times in the past with my former husband, and my children. Once, for a quick three week taste of both islands, with only backpacks on our backs. A second time, for six weeks traveling by motorhome and camping, with spouse, and my two year old Katelyn, and pregnant with my second child. Finally the third time was for an extended time, which took faith and commitment to quit our jobs in Alaska, and bring our three children, ages 9, 7 and 3 on an adventure in this small but wonderful country, and joined by Jane for several months of this trip.
I am now returning alone, for 3 months to work in acute acute mental health unit of the Palmerston North Hospital, but furthermore, I am here to learn all that I can about this wonderful country and culture.
This blog will mainly focus on the social work aspects of this trip and the country. Please be patient with me as I try to write my first blog.
I began by corresponding with Universities in New Zealand, Schools of Social Work, to see if they might be able to assist an international student from Alaska, to connect with an agency, connect with a agency representative as well as a supervising MSW with the appropriate degree. Massey University , in particular, Kathryn Hays contacted me and we began a year long journey to try to work out the logistics for this practicum experience. Through many emails, faxes, background checks, liability insurance, University requirements and forms, we have finally arranged it all for me to do my practicum in New Zealand.
I am anticipating a big growing experience and a chance to taste a bit of social work in a mental health unit in a hospital setting. I chose Palmerston North as a potential internship site for the following reasons: Location, responsiveness to my request, access to former friends by riding a hour and a half by public bus ride, and the cultural aspects that it offered to me. Just for a bit of personal history, I have traveled to NZ three times in the past with my former husband, and my children. Once, for a quick three week taste of both islands, with only backpacks on our backs. A second time, for six weeks traveling by motorhome and camping, with spouse, and my two year old Katelyn, and pregnant with my second child. Finally the third time was for an extended time, which took faith and commitment to quit our jobs in Alaska, and bring our three children, ages 9, 7 and 3 on an adventure in this small but wonderful country, and joined by Jane for several months of this trip.
I am now returning alone, for 3 months to work in acute acute mental health unit of the Palmerston North Hospital, but furthermore, I am here to learn all that I can about this wonderful country and culture.
This blog will mainly focus on the social work aspects of this trip and the country. Please be patient with me as I try to write my first blog.
