SSW Students to Partake in “Puerto Rico Experience”

This summer, 12 School of Social Work students will travel to Puerto Rico for “The Puerto Rico Experience,” a three-week cultural immersion program focused on public health social work.  In conjunction with the Inter American University of Puerto Rico Clinical Associate Professor Luz Lòpez will lead the program, and students will learn about social, economic, cultural issues in Puerto Rico.

“This cultural immersion experience helps students gain new public health social work perspectives,” explained Lòpez, who will lead the program for the 6th consecutive year. “This is a unique transformative learning experience. I feel honored and proud of our students and the impact and contributions they will have working with Latino families and other diverse groups.”

Throughout the three-credit elective course, students will take Spanish-language classes, visit local agencies and community groups, and attend lectures taught by Puerto Rican social work professors and practitioners.

“It was an eye-opening experience to go and immerse myself in a culture and truly experience what it had to offer,” said Sara Skonieczny (MSW, ’11) who traveled to Puerto Rico in 2010.  “We were able to explore a beautiful island with so much history, and we were given the opportunity to understand how Puerto Rico views the field of social work.”

Students interested in substance abuse and HIV prevention research have the opportunity to participate in a community participatory approach conducting outreach and in-person interviews with homeless individuals.

“They take a much more collaborative approach of combining the macro and clinical areas and really meeting the clients where they are physically and mentally,” explained Skonieczny.  “During one experience, we joined a program called Plaza Corazòn and went out onto the streets to distribute sandwiches and juice to the homeless population.  The workers were able to reach out to these individuals and offer them services, and an ear to listen to their problems.”

Students have the opportunity to interact with Latino faculty and graduate students, practice Spanish, and learn macro and clinical frameworks and interventions that they can apply upon return to the United States.

“I benefited from this experience by being inspired by many of these individuals who were so passionate and dedicated to their work,” said Skonieczny. “I also gained insight into the culture of Puerto Rico, and the important cultural differences I should keep in mind when working with my clients.  I’m so happy I chose to do it and Luz Lòpez really made in an unforgettable time.”

The Puerto Rico experience runs from June 11 to 30.  For more information, contact Clinical Associate Professor Luz Lòpez at luzlopez@bu.edu.

-Mackenzie Kreitler