European Students Support Local Charities During Derby Stay
22 May 2013
Students from across Europe taking part in the Erasmus Intensive Programme at Derby
It has been fantastic to meet social work students from lots of other cultures, and find out about how our approaches are similar and how they're different. It has been a truly eye-opening experience.
”Hanuu-Pekka Piiparinen, 27 from Finland
University of Derby students gained an international perspective on current social issues such as migration and people trafficking when they hosted social work students and academics from across Europe for two weeks of intensive learning.
The groups from universities in Estonia, Germany, Finland, Belgium and Lithuania joined the Derby students for the Erasmus Intensive Teaching Programme from May 6 to May 17 (2013). It was the second of three annual programmes funded by a €26,000 grant. Last year Derby students travelled to Coburg in Germany, and in 2013, groups from each country will gather in Estonia.
As well as discussing current European social problems during teaching sessions, the students also spent time at Derby organisations Safe and Sound, which works to end child exploitation; voluntary youth sector organisation, Rathbone; at Positive Support which supports individuals and families living with HIV and Aids; and at Craegmoor, a residential rehabilitation unit that supports people with mental health issues. Groups of students applied their social work knowledge to carry out projects on each organisation's behalf.
Fran Fuller, Programme Leader on the Applied Social Work degree at the University of Derby, said: "Bringing together social work students and academics from across Europe has been a fantastic learning experience for everyone involved, as each person brings very different experiences and perspectives of current issues and solutions to the discussion.
"By working with local organisations, students have been able to consider dilemmas by providing a European perspective. Our visiting students were very impressed with the city of Derby and truly enjoyed the opportunity to gain experience with some of our partner agencies."
Hanuu-Pekka Piiparinen, 27 from Finland, said: "It has been fantastic to meet social work students from lots of other cultures, and find out about how our approaches are similar and how they're different. It has been a truly eye-opening experience."
Linda Paap, 29, from Estonia, said: "It has been a really challenging, interesting programme, especially carrying out a project looking at people trafficking for Safe and Sound, Derby. I will certainly be able to take what I have learned back to my studies in Estonia."
The programme was organised and hosted by Pauline Green and Fran Fuller from the University of Derby's Integrated Professional Studies subject area which includes BA (Hons) degrees in Applied Social Work, Community and Youth Work and Health and Social Care.
