The DHBW-VS has established a new Erasmus partnership in Scandinavia. Specifically, it has partnered with the "Department of Psychology and Social Work" (Institutionen för psykologi och socialt arbete) at the Mid Sweden University in Östersund. Through the European Erasmus+ funding program, overseas stays for teaching and training can be supported.
The partnership was initiated by Professors Barbara Schramkowski from the DHBW and Angelika Kaffrell-Lindahl from the Mid Sweden University, who have long collaborated on environmentally and climate-friendly social work and ecological sustainability in social work. Schramkowski had the opportunity to visit Östersund in December. She introduced the Swedish colleagues to the dual study model, which met with great interest.
What is needed to study in Sweden?
In the future, the partnership plans to expand into student mobility and enable internships in Östersund or at dual partner institutions within the Faculty of Social Work at DHBW-VS. A prerequisite for this is good Swedish or German language skills. Prior to the visit, discussions about semesters abroad at the respective partner universities also took place. Both universities need to expand their offers of English-language lectures in the field of social work.
Barbara Schramkowski was able to conduct a seminar day with social work students from the fourth and seventh semesters on-site. The topics included "Social Work as an advocacy profession for ecological children’s rights" and "Shaping ecological transformation in social institutions." Schramkowski shared perspectives from her current projects "Climate Protection is Child Protection" and "Ecological Sustainability in Child and Youth Welfare." As part of her current research semester, she is conducting interviews with managers of large child and youth welfare institutions, who place significant emphasis on advancing ecological sustainability and exploring innovative paths.
Additionally, Barbara Schramkowski had the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with social workers from the Swedish child and youth welfare sector, which she can now incorporate into her teaching in the "Youth, Family, and Social Welfare" specialization.
Sustainability is a focus.
In the new Erasmus+ program, sustainability and climate-friendly travel are key focus areas. This is supported by increased travel grants and additional travel days. Barbara Schramkowski chose sustainable travel by train: "Since there are night trains to Sweden and within Sweden, it is very feasible to travel sustainably by train to northern Sweden with the 'Green Travel Supplement'." Claudia Rzepka from the International Office supports educators in organizing and financing teaching stays through the Erasmus+ program and is happy to provide information to those interested.
Image: Barbara Schramkowski (center) with social work colleagues at Mid Sweden University, Helen Blomé (left), and Angelika Kaffrell-Lindahl.
