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:
"We look for the spark. We stir them up. We spread the fire." This is the slogan of the oranisation that i founded and run by social worker and faculty Tim Vermeiren. We have a sit down with him and two others to talk about what the organisation does, and why it is important that social workers also know something about starting and running an organisation to help with some of the social challenges they see.
In the studio:
In this episode we invited two students and one facluty from St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences about their experiences from this IUW. Listen to their favorite workshops, and the best field visits!
And if you want to know more about iLab, please check out this link!
In the episode:
Welcome to this episode where we are in the beautiful city of Leuven in Belgium! We are joining IUW 2024 that is hosted by UCLL - University of Applied Sciences!
In this first episode we will talk to the organizers and one of the students that is attending the IUW for some insights about the theme, the preparations and the different workshops! In future episodes we will also have a talk with lecturers and students for their experiences with the week!
In this episode:
To know more about the possebilities to study social work in Leuven, please check out their homepage.
Why should social workers focus on "meaning"?
The most common answer students give to why they want to become social workers is ‘I want to help people’. In the global definition of social work this is described as engaging ‘people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing’. The perspective of bringing meaning into life gives an interesting way of carrying out this mission.
In Girona - Spain:
"There's more to life than being happy" TED talk by Emily Esfahani Smith.
In her book "The Power of Meaning," Emily Esfahani Smith rounds up the latest research -- and the stories of fascinating people she interviewed -- to argue that the search for meaning is far more fulfilling than the pursuit of personal happiness.
International University Week 2024 is going to be held in Odense – Denmark, Jihlava – Czechia and Leuven – Belgium April 22-26th, and we have had a talk with two of the organicers of these weeks! Listen in on what the topics are going to be, and what is great about these locations!
In the Socialpod makeshift podcast studio on a terrace in Girona - Spain:
You can read more about the upcoming IUW 2024 at the SocNet98 webpage
You can see this podcast as a video with subtitles here: Panopto
IUW 2023 in Linz in coming to and end, and we made an episode where the students themselves could share their experiences, what they learned, and why they would love others to join future IUWs!
In the studio:
Rocio Garcia from CSU-DH held a workshop named "Client Collaboration within Forensic Settings" at the IUW 2023 in Linz, and we had a talk with her and two of the students that attended the workshop to hear about their impressions.
In the studio:
Is social work different from country to country, and to we see any trends in how social work is changing? In this episode we try to explore this with the perspectives from Austria, Norway and USA.
In the studio we are:
We are live at IUW in Linz at University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, and we had a sitdown with some of the people involved in this exiting week, both faculty and students!
In the studio we are: