Social Work – USA (Worldwide Volunteering)
BSc (Hons) Social Work
Ariella McCauley-Dawkins spent the summer working at YMCA Camp Eberhart, Camp America.
Work experience
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Due to my younger age than my other peers on the social work degree, I had found that I would benefit from a more direct experience. In the future I hope to work with young people and I wanted to work with young people to see if I enjoyed it.”
New experiences
“I enjoyed meeting new people and truly immersing myself into a new experience by myself. The young people and children I worked with were phenomenal. Learning about a new culture was also very interesting. I got the opportunity to visit the 9/11 museum and ground zero which was truly breath taking. I feel very fortunate to have had an international experience.”
Experience of a life-time
“My course does not provide a continuous placement of three months to offer direct work with young people and children. I needed the experience of working with young people and children and professionally it is important to learn and be sensitive to different cultures. I have had the privilege of working with such a varied group of staff and children and by far was the experience of a life-time.”
Pursuing aspirations
“The experience away for three months has allowed me to truly know that working with young people is something that I want to pursue. Since my return I have applied for a job working in a tier 4 children’s home. This will allow me to have an even deeper insight into my future, whilst on placement.”
Advice to other students
“I would advise them to do it. I would suggest they go alone and not with friends and be brave. It will feel undoubtedly nerve wracking but will be well worth it. I will even suggest Camp America to my future children. This will be an experience of a life time and you will love it!”