Summary
The University of Cincinnati School of Allied Health Sciences leads semiannual cross-cultural learning programs for Social Work and Health Science students in Costa Rica. \\\ The University began working with community partner Viva Nicaragua Abroad twelve years ago in Nicaragua and now sustains this partnership through study abroad programs that support the Nicaraguan asylum-seeking and refugee community in Costa Rica. This long-standing partnership is a model for ethical and sustainable study abroad programs that benefit both students and community partners. \ The University collaborates with Viva Nicaragua to facilitate needs-based activities that support the efforts of Nicaraguan asylum seekers and refugees to integrate into Costa Rica. \ This unique program brings together Nicaraguan immigrants and refugees, \ Costa Ricans, and international students to engage in cross-cultural activities that promote cultures of peace, tolerance, and acceptance. \ \ This tripartite global approach provides multiple benefits for Social Work and Health Science students and community members. Students and community partners collaborate on workshops that focus on topics including nonviolent conflict resolution, trauma-informed care, self-care, gender equity, health disparities, diversity, and inclusion. \ \ All participants engage in rich discussions about global topics including human displacement and social justice. \ \ Students work alongside community members to facilitate activities that promote cultural competence, inclusion, and tolerance and provide tangible products that support the needs of the Costa Rican and Nicaraguan communities.\\\ \ Students gain a greater understanding of global topics and facilitate activities that support integration efforts with Costa Rican and Nicaraguan immigrant communities. \ Similar efforts can be reproduced locally and internationally to incorporate global perspectives in social work and promote dialogue and action about social inequities, tolerance, and inclusion.
Keywords (separate with commas)
social work, cross-cultural learning, cross-cultural collaboration, experiential learning, interdisciplinary programs, immigrants, asylum seekers, refugees, tolerance, inclusion, social integration, diversity, cultural competence, human rights, global social work, human displacement, ethical study abroad, sustainable study abroad, Costa Rica, Nicaragua.\\