The second week of April, the Social Work
students of CGE had the great opportunity of taking part in an exchange with
the students from the Escuala Nacional de Trabajo Social (ENTS). This school is
the smallest in all of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM),
having about 3,000 alumni. However, it is practically the same size as the
private schools in Minnesota we come from (Augsburg, St. Olaf, and St. Kate's),
but different in that it is completely dedicated to social work.
During our
time at ENTS we had the chance to see how social work is done is Mexico through
speaking with professors, spending time with students in their practicums, attending
classes, and taking a tour. We learned that attending ENTS is completely free
for all Mexican citizens besides the 30-cent charge for the piece of paper used
for registration each year. The school
puts a great emphasis on the importance of research in social work, which was
somewhat a new idea for me.
The students have three different internships
throughout their undergraduate schooling, and each begins with doing a
diagnosis of the problem the population they are working with is facing. Not until extensive research is complete and a
plan of action is developed can the students begin to work one-on-one with the
people. Another area of difference in the practicum is that the UNAM students
work in groups as opposed to what we’re used to - working alone at different
agencies. These groups of interns work as a team and provide support to one
another. They divide the work and specialize in the topics they’re most
interested in.
The bachelor's level social work program at the UMAN is extremely
intensive. The students are required to take up to 7 courses each semester in
topics similar to ours, but much more extensive. All of the subjects they study
purely surround social work topics. A student must know upon acceptance that
they want to graduate with a degree in Social Work; while in the US we begin
with general courses in order to give students the opportunity to explore
different fields. I think each method produces different results. In my
opinion, bachelor level college graduates in the United States know a little
about a lot of different things, and the ENTS students receive an education
more similar to a masters level degree in the US, knowing a lot about one
specific thing: social work. In many ways, I think they are more prepared to be
professionals with the completion of their degree, but something that was
emphasized during our stay was that one system is not any better than the
other, they are only different. Now that we have learned about the profession
of social work from the Mexicans perspective, what unique things can we share
about ourselves in the second half of this exchange?
By Natalie Koness
During our
time at ENTS we had the chance to see how social work is done is Mexico through
speaking with professors, spending time with students in their practicums, attending
classes, and taking a tour. We learned that attending ENTS is completely free
for all Mexican citizens besides the 30-cent charge for the piece of paper used
for registration each year. The school
puts a great emphasis on the importance of research in social work, which was
somewhat a new idea for me. 
My homestay is in the same community as my internship. I
teach ESL to people in the community. Also, if they are planning on migrating,
I can help find resources in the U.S and Canada for them. I think this has been a great
way for me to be involved in the community. I can go to peoples' homes and sit and
talk with them for hours. In many ways, I still have to build a lot of trust
with people and some of my longer goals would take over a year to really see
the progress. I’m the outsider and I think in many ways that can be ok when
doing research, but I have to be aware of the fact, that I’m not living in
Amatlan to write reports and do research about migration. I want to emerge
myself in the culture and really learn from the people around me. I think I’m
extremely blessed to have met so many wonderful people on this journey. I have
made some connections for life. I have realized how to really open my mind and
take the time to grow and learn from the people around me. I have found ways of
being more flexible and passionate about whatever the day brings my way. .JPG)
