Internationale mogelijkheden

International Opportunities in Social Work

At Hanze UAS, we see internationalisation as a core value of Social Work education. In today’s interconnected world, it is vital that social workers understand global perspectives, build cross-cultural competencies, and learn from each other across borders.

Whether you’re a student looking to broaden your studies abroad or a partner institution seeking meaningful collaboration, our international activities offer a rich variety of opportunities.

Why Internationalisation Matters in Social Work

Social workers today deal with complex social issues that are rarely confined to one country or culture. That’s why our programme is built on the Global Definition of Social Work (IFSW/IASSW), which highlights:

Human rights
Using best practices and evidence based research
Social issues from a global perspective
Intercultural competencies essential for modern social work

We prepare students to be locally grounded and globally aware, ready to face challenges with insight, empathy, and professional integrity.

International Networks: SOCNET98 & IUWs

We are an active member of SOCNET98, a European network of universities offering Social Work programmes. Through this network, our students and staff take part in International University Weeks (IUWs) — inspiring exchange weeks hosted by partner institutions.

During an IUW, students engage in:

Lectures and workshops on pressing social themes
Group projects and intercultural teamwork
Field visits to local social work organisations
Networking with peers and professionals from across Europe

Every year, Hanze students are encouraged to join IUWs abroad, and we also host our own IUW in Groningen, welcoming participants from across the SOCNET98 network.

Guest Lecture Week – Every March in Groningen

In the third week of March, we organise our annual Guest Lecture Week, which is separate from the IUW. This special week brings together international lecturers and practitioners from the field of Social Work to share their insights, research, and practices. Students attend workshops, debates, and themed lectures that challenge and inspire.

This week is an ideal opportunity for visiting lecturers and professionals to engage with our programme — and for our students to see Social Work from multiple cultural and professional angles.

International Minors & Internships

We offer two English-taught international minors that are open to both Hanze students and international exchange students:

Human Rights Interdisciplinary – Explore ethical dilemmas and human rights through theory, case studies, and practice.
Applied Positive Psychology – Learn how strengths-based approaches and wellbeing science apply to individuals, groups, and communities.

In addition, many of our students take part in international internships, supported by our extensive network of partner organisations. These placements give students a chance to apply what they’ve learned in an international context and gain valuable work experience abroad.

Collaboration in Research, Exchange & Development

We strongly believe in building long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships. This includes:

Staff and student exchange programmes
Collaborative research projects
Joint curriculum development
Guest teaching and visiting scholar initiatives

Our goal is to co-create knowledge, foster innovation, and address shared challenges through international cooperation.

Interested in Partnering or Participating?

We are always looking to expand our network of engaged and inspiring partners in the fields of education, practice, and research. Whether you're interested in:

Sending students or interns
Co-developing a project
Participating in Guest Lecture Week
Hosting an IUW together
We’d love to hear from you.

Contact

Sergei Oudman
Lecturer & International Coordinator – Social Work
📧 [email protected]