The Socialpod

What can one week abroad bring to your social work education? New perspectives, international friendships and the confidence to step outside your comfort zone.

In this episode of TheSocialpod, Steinar Vikholt meets fellow SocNet98 coordinators in Emden, Germany, to introduce the four destinations for International University Week 2027:

• Emden, Germany: Methods of social work in a European context, including creative approaches through art, music, dance and drama.
• Linz, Austria: Social work responses to global challenges, from climate change and migration to inequality and nationalism.
• Girona, Catalonia, Spain: Living together in diversity, exploring inclusion, equality and social cohesion.
• Jihlava, Czech Republic: Building resilience in beginning social workers.

Alongside the themes, we explore what makes IUW special: interactive workshops, field visits, social activities and learning together across borders. We also discuss why you do not need perfect English to take part, and how meeting students and lecturers from other countries can strengthen your sense of belonging to the social work profession.

Curious about joining? Visit socnet98.eu for details and contact your own university about participation through the SocNet98 network.

In this episode of The Socialpod, we return to Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena — but this time from the organizers’ perspective.

Student organizers Feli and Daniel reflect on what it was actually like to plan and carry out International University Week 2026 in Jena, centered around the theme Democracy and Human Rights. From the first preparations in August 2025 to welcoming students in April 2026, they share the realities behind organizing a large international social work event: the administrative work, the uncertainty, the field visits, the logistics, and the pressure of making everything come together.

The episode also explores the personal motivations behind the work. Drawing from their own international experiences abroad, the conversation highlights why creating spaces for international exchange matters — not only academically, but socially and personally. Along the way, humor emerges as an important coping strategy when balancing responsibility, expectations, and the unpredictable nature of international events.

This is an honest and reflective behind-the-scenes conversation about collaboration, student engagement, and what it takes to build an International University Week from the ground up.

In this follow-up episode of The Socialpod, we stay in Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena during International University Week 2026—but shift the lens from academic themes to the student experience itself.

While the first episode explored democracy and human rights through workshops and field visits, this episode moves into what happens in between: the informal learning spaces where students meet, communicate, and navigate cultural and linguistic differences.

Together with the same group of international students, the conversation dives into language barriers, expectations, and the realities of stepping into an unfamiliar environment. What initially feels uncertain—different languages, new people, and no clear script—quickly becomes a space for connection, reflection, and growth.

This episode captures the essence of SocNet98’s core idea: students meeting students. It’s about what participants take with them—not just academically, but personally—and how international encounters shape their understanding of social work and themselves.

In this episode of The Socialpod, we are on location at Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena during International University Week 2026. With the theme Democracy and Human Rights, the conversation centers on how social work engages with rising political tensions, human rights challenges, and questions of participation across Europe.

Joined by international students—particularly from Belgium—the episode captures reflections from the final days of the week. They share first-hand experiences of workshops, field visits, and informal learning spaces, highlighting how theory and practice are brought together through encounters with local services, interdisciplinary teams, and real-world social issues.

Beyond the academic content, the episode explores what IUW represents in practice: a meeting point for more than 300 students from across Europe, where cultural exchange, professional identity, and peer learning unfold simultaneously. From structured sessions on democracy and rights to everyday conversations between students, the week becomes a living example of international social work in action.

This episode offers both a grounded insight into the Jena programme and a broader reflection on why international collaboration matters for the future of social work.

In this episode of The Socialpod, we tour the four hosts of International University Week 2026 (20–24 April): HUMAK University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, PXL University College in Hasselt, and Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena. You’ll hear concrete previews of workshops and field visits, plus practical tips for getting around (from trains to Amsterdam/Groningen to navigating Helsinki’s public transport—and yes, it may be cold in April). The hosts present their themes: HUMAK’s “Perspectives and Tools for Community Work and Promoting Agency,” Hanze’s “Community as Care: Activating Social Networks and Volunteering in Social Work,” PXL’s “Making Change Work,” and Jena’s “Democracy and Human Rights.” Together they sketch how students and staff will connect local practice with human rights, participation, and community-based innovation across four European cities in the same week.

For more information, please go to our International University Week webpage!

In this episode of TheSocialPod, recorded in Helsinki, Steinar Vikholt hosts an insightful discussion with coordinators from four universities who are organizing the upcoming 2025 International University Week (IUW). The episode kicks off with an introduction to the SocNet98 network, which includes 17 European universities working in the field of social work. IUW is an annual event where students from these universities get the chance to travel to four different countries, participate in student conferences, and engage in cross-cultural exchanges.

The four hosts for 2025—Steinar from the University of Southeastern Norway, Andrea from St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences (Austria), Christian from the City University of Applied Sciences in Bremen (Germany), and Martina from Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra (Slovakia)—introduce their universities and share details about the themes and activities planned for their respective IUW events.

Steinar explains that USN in Norway will focus on “Activities in Social Work” and will offer students the unique experience of staying in a wilderness camp, blending outdoor activities with learning. Andrea’s IUW in Austria will delve into “Participation and Service User Involvement,” emphasizing the role of lived experiences in shaping social work practices. Christian’s IUW in Germany will explore the intersection of social work and sustainability, focusing on ecosocial work and the effects of climate change on vulnerable populations. Martina rounds out the discussion by describing the Slovakian event, which will focus on “Clinical Social Work” and address issues such as mental health, domestic violence, and addiction.

The coordinators highlight the benefits of IUW, including the opportunity for students to meet peers from across Europe, exchange ideas, and gain insights into how social work is practiced in different countries. Beyond academics, there are plenty of cultural activities and even stories of students forming lasting friendships—or, in some cases, romantic relationships.

The episode wraps up with practical advice for students attending IUW 2025, encouraging them to be open-minded, engage actively with their peers, and, as Steinar humorously notes, pack warm clothes if they are heading to Norway. For more details about the event and to stay updated, students are directed to the SocNet98 website.

This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the collaborative and international nature of social work education and serves as a great resource for any students considering participating in IUW.

You can read more about the upcoming IUW 2025 at the SocNet98 webpage that will be updated about the specifics.

In this episode of The SocialPod, Steinar Vikholt from the University of South-Eastern Norway is joined by Professors Hannah Nguyen and Phu Phan from California State University, Dominguez Hills, to explore the implementation of the recovery model in mental health and social work. The conversation centers on the strengths-based approach to helping individuals with mental illness, focusing on their potential rather than their limitations.

The professors reflect on the differences between the U.S. and Norwegian approaches to the recovery model, especially in integrating nature and community into the therapeutic process. The use of “friluftsliv,” the Norwegian tradition of outdoor living, highlights how environmental therapy plays a significant role in promoting recovery by engaging clients in meaningful activities within their natural surroundings. The discussion further explores how Norway’s social services emphasize community integration, enabling clients to participate in meaningful work and fostering a sense of belonging.

The episode also contrasts the challenges faced in the U.S., where resource limitations often prevent full implementation of such recovery models. The panel discusses the importance of low client-to-staff ratios in facilitating personal connection and empowerment, pointing to the broader societal and economic benefits of investing in comprehensive mental health recovery services.

This episode provides a rich, cross-cultural perspective on the recovery model, shedding light on the importance of strengths-based approaches in social work and the role of community in fostering long-term, meaningful recovery.

In this episode of The SocialPod, hosted by Steinar Vikholt from the University of South-Eastern Norway, the conversation revolves around the reflections on the experiences of international exchange students participating in the "Social Work in the Global World" project. Joined by Professors Phu Phan and Hannah Nguyen from California State University, Dominguez Hills, the discussion revisits themes from a previous episode featuring students from various global backgrounds.

Key topics include the challenges and opportunities faced by first-generation students, the development of confidence through international study, and the impact of imposter syndrome. The professors explore how these students, often from underserved communities, navigate cultural transitions, and gain self-worth through their experiences abroad. The panel also reflects on the power of social media in maintaining family connections during these transformative journeys, as well as the broader educational exchange between Norwegian and international students.

The episode highlights the importance of internationalization in higher education, emphasizing the value of intercultural learning, and the need for more accessible exchange programs that foster inclusivity and cross-cultural understanding. This rich discussion provides insights into the personal growth and academic enrichment that stem from international educational experiences.

In this episode of The SocialPod, four international students participating in the 2024 SoWGloW (Social Work in the Global World) course share their personal and academic experiences while studying abroad in Norway. Led by Professor Phu Phan from California State University, Dominguez Hills, the conversation provides an in-depth reflection on the cultural, academic, and social challenges the students encountered during their time in Norway.

The episode features students from diverse backgrounds, including the U.S. California and South Dakota, to Japan, who discuss their initial expectations and the realities they faced upon arrival. A recurring theme is the imposter syndrome many of them experienced, particularly as first-generation or low-income students, and how they overcame this sense of self-doubt through personal growth and exposure to new environments. They highlight how the SoWGloW course, which focuses on social welfare and cultural exchange, has not only enhanced their academic understanding but also transformed their perspectives on independence, cultural competence, and global citizenship.

Throughout the discussion, the students explore the differences between Norway’s social welfare model and those in their home countries, particularly in the areas of healthcare and social work. They emphasize how the Norwegian approach to preventive care, community integration, and welfare contrasts with the often reactive, crisis-oriented systems in the United States. Moreover, the students express their desire to apply salutogenic, strength-based approaches to social work and healthcare in their future careers, which they believe can foster more sustainable, positive outcomes for underserved populations.

This episode offers a unique lens into how international education and cross-cultural immersion can profoundly shape both professional and personal development, fostering a deeper understanding of global social issues and equipping students with valuable tools for their future work.

How are sick leave in differernt countries, and how does this affect us when it comes to work inclution? We are in this episode comparing the rules for sick leave in the US context with the Norwegian context.

To learn more about this, please check out the following video that is available for free online: "Sick leave in the US - an example"

This episode is also available as a video (with subtitles): "Sick leave in US and Norway - A learning experience"

In the studio:

• Steinar Vikholt, Assistant professor, University of South-Eastern Norway
• Alma Melena, MA, California State University - Dominguez Hills
• Annalyn Valdez-Dadia, DrPH, California State University - Dominguez Hills