Specialize Abroad: A Career in International Social Work

Social workers have a unique skill set that is in demand in many parts of the world, and some may feel their skills could be better applied in an international setting. While jobs in domestic and international social work can be similar, the lifestyle and cultural challenges are different. Expats in any job must reconcile their own cultural upbringing and beliefs with those of their host country. However, for international social workers this can be a more intense process, since they could be working with disadvantaged populations with different standards of living than U.S. residents are used to.

Fortunately, there is crossover between international and domestic social work. People skills, cross-class and cross-cultural empathy, and community organizing are at the core of social work in any context. Social workers looking for jobs with NGOs, social organizations or charities, will have an advantage over other international applicants because of their experience working with and among marginalized groups. International social workers will find that disadvantaged groups around the world share many of the same challenges and can benefit from the same skills that are applied domestically.

Outside of cultural challenges, social workers abroad will also experience professional norms and policies different from those in the United States. Depending on the country and the institution, social workers should expect to work in systems with perplexing bureaucracies that could either be more lax or more stringent than those they have experienced. In some cases social workers will experience what they perceive to be an unnecessary amount of red tape stopping them from doing simple assignments, while in others they will be alarmed at the lack of oversight and follow-up. They should also expect a different power distance (the extent to which people accept unequal distributions of power) and dynamic between managers and employees. In order to be effective, it will be critical for foreign-based social workers to learn how things work administratively and how co-workers interact.

To be competitive in the search for international opportunities, social workers should have all or a strong combination of the following:

Experience with fundraising and grant writing is a bonus but not strictly required. While social workers may not need to write grants or raise funds at their jobs domestically, these skills tend to be important in international positions. NGOs and local governments need to consistently justify their presence and their work, often by raising their own funding from large international bodies (like the World Bank) or government agencies.

Other traits that aspiring international social workers should have are humility, determination, and resourcefulness. These traits will allow social workers to be effective from the first day they enter the new country. Too often, expats are ineffective because they begin their international job assuming they know better than the local staff, rather than acknowledging that they have a lot to learn about how things work in that country. They can also be ineffective when they are deterred by a relative lack of resources or by what they perceive to be slower systems. It will be critical to create your own opportunities and to be persistent.

For those who lack international experience, volunteering internationally is a great way to develop a cultural relationship with a country or region, as well as create a professional network that could lead to a paid position. Many international social workers had two or three related volunteer positions that helped lead them to a paid job.

Obtaining a visa is also a consideration for international social workers. Visa processes vary with each country and will depend on the type of employment you seek, but you can easily search for country-specific visa procedures and other necessary information at the U.S. Department of State website.

While still working domestically, there is a lot you can do to begin looking for an international job. First, identify prospective organizations and begin contacting people within them. This process can be long and tedious, so stay determined and don’t worry about taking occasional breaks in the search to keep up your energy and motivation.

Once you have a list of potential NGOs, charities, and humanitarian groups, write a culturally appropriate cover letter to send in with your resume. For example, many employers in Africa and South America expect humility, rather than self-aggrandizement (as is more typical in the U.S.) in a cover letter. Be aware that cover letter and resume standards can vary between countries, and it helps to know who will be receiving your information (i.e., an American in a domestic office or a local professional abroad). In the cover letter, be specific about how your skills will help address the local needs and can be adjusted and applied in a new environment.

There are many organizations that need social workers abroad. The following resources can help you get started in your search:

Many social workers feel the pull of an international experience and want to take their domestic experience abroad. The skills and qualities needed to be a successful domestic social worker are applicable in an international setting and can be particularly valuable for nonprofit and humanitarian organizations. Finding the perfect position can be a long process, so get started now.