Beyond Borders: Taryn Roe’s BSW South Africa Internship

Taryn Roe’s internship journey took her far from home, all the way to Cape Town, South Africa. While international internships have long been available for students working towards their MSW, the option for BSW students is a recent addition. In fact, Taryn is the first BSW student to participate in such a program.

Taryn’s role was at a domestic violence shelter in Cape Town, an experience she describes as both challenging and rewarding. “I worked closely with my supervisor to provide essential support and resources to women affected by domestic violence,” she says. “My role involved offering emotional support, safety planning, and leading group sessions. It was a humbling experience to witness the resilience of survivors and to play a role in empowering them to rebuild their lives.”

Regarding the application process for the international internship, Taryn explains, “It wasn’t too difficult. It consisted of answering questions regarding why I thought I should be able to participate in this internship opportunity. This wasn’t hard for me because I knew that it was something I was extremely passionate about and that it would be beneficial for me. I have always wanted to work internationally, so when the opportunity presented itself, I did everything that I could to make it happen.”

Taryn’s love for traveling and new experiences inspired her to apply. She describes how the opportunity came somewhat last minute for her, but she knew she wanted to do it. “Interning at Carehaven was one of the best decisions I made,” she says. “I worked with the most supportive staff and was supervised by a social worker who is similar to myself. My supervisor gave me the freedom to implement group sessions and work with the clients in the ways that I chose and felt comfortable with. In doing so, she allowed me to get creative in the work that I did with the clients. From the first week at Carehaven, my supervisor put her full faith and trust in me. There were times that I felt lost or like the impact I was making was not big enough, but she always supported me and guided me in the work that I was doing.”

Internships come with challenges, and Taryn’s was no exception, presenting difficulties typically faced by more experienced MSW students. “Going on an international internship can present numerous challenges, and my experience in South Africa was no exception,” Taryn says. “Arriving in a foreign country where I did not know anyone was scary, but I embraced the opportunity to meet new people and make meaningful connections. Safety concerns added to the anxiety and nerves that I was already feeling, but we just always had to be vigilant and aware of our surroundings.”

One of the biggest challenges Taryn faced was learning to compartmentalize the trauma she encountered at work and prevent it from affecting her personal life. “Despite anticipating the emotional toll of the stories I would hear, nothing could fully prepare me for their impact. Despite this, the relationships I formed with clients and my supervisor made every challenge worth it because I will carry the memories and lessons that they taught me forever. Saying goodbye to my internship site and the clients I served was undoubtedly one of the most difficult farewells I’ve ever experienced, because of the impact that they had on me. This experience taught me so much about social work and how I want to be as a social worker in the future.”

During her internship, Taryn had the opportunity to put theory into practice. “I designed and executed a comprehensive five-week financial training program tailored for South African women,” she explains. “The program aimed to provide practical and relevant financial education to empower participants to manage their finances effectively. Throughout the lessons, I covered topics such as budgeting, saving, debt management, and financial planning, all within the context of the unique financial challenges faced by women in South Africa. I also led group sessions during the week with the women on topics like boundaries, self-love, forgiveness, and healthy relationships.”

Taryn also stayed overnight at the shelter a few times, allowing her to make more personal connections with the women and their children while maintaining professionalism. “This was one of my favorite parts of the internship, aside from working with my amazing supervisor. It allowed me to observe the clients in a less structured setting.”

Preparing for her international internship was an experience in itself. “I embraced it with open-mindedness and adaptability,” she says. Taryn also did extensive research about South Africa and its culture. “Going abroad, especially in the field of social work, presents unique challenges, but it’s a path I am deeply passionate about. I would remind myself to maintain my openness and to cherish every moment, as time goes by so quickly. Overall my experience was great, and there are few things I would do differently if given the opportunity to go abroad again.”

Reflecting on her time in Cape Town, Taryn believes it will influence her approach to social work in the United States. “Being exposed to diverse perspectives, cultures, and social issues has broadened my understanding of the complexities of human experiences and social problems. I am not sure that I will stay in the States after graduating. Going to Cape Town has inspired me to look for more opportunities to practice social work in other countries. It has also instilled in me an even deeper desire to explore the world and learn more about other cultures.”

Taryn offers advice to other students: “Always keep an open mind and embrace new opportunities as they arise. Additionally, I recommend taking the opportunity to spend time in Cape Town if it ever presents itself.”

Hellen McDonald, Associate Director of International Programs, also encourages students to seek out international opportunities and broaden their experiences.

“All of our internship opportunities provide incredible learning opportunities whether domestic or abroad,” she says. “But there is something uniquely special about students travelling abroad, putting themselves in a different, culturally-immersive environment, one in which they have never been in before. Being outside of one’s comfort zone, in settings where the holistic experience and all the senses are awakened, makes for an unforgettable opportunity.”