We visited Wiesbaden and RheinMain University of Applied Sciences as

Guests on from 5 November to 11 November 2023.

We worked together on the bi-national course” Global Social Work: A Finnish- German Encounter”. Activities during the course were:

– Discussions of activities and formats for further exchange

– Visits to organizations in the realm of professional social work

– Individual exchanges with faculty members.

Five master’s degree students from Savonia UAS and four international students (two of them were from Germany, one from Spain and one from USA) from Rhein Main UAS participated in the course.

Picture 1. Working together. Picture by Sandra Holtgreve.

The week included compact lectures and perspectives on social work in Finland and Germany, as well as three workplace visits. The course included a variety of cultural and professional perspectives on work in the social sector. The dialogue during the course was rewarding and refreshing. It was nice to see smiling students.

The first workplace visit was to EVIM Reha-Werkstatt, which is a place of rehabilitative work for people who have health problems and difficulties in finding employment. We met the manager and a social worker as well as the members of the steering staff who told us about their work and showed us the places.

During our visit to Campus Kinderhaus und Wald kindergarten we met the leader who arranged us the possibility to observe children in small groups and have discussion moments

for our questions. During the kindergarten visit we noticed that early childhood education work can be done in a different way. In Finland, activities are more adult led. Montessori pedagogy is used a lot in Germany. Both countries struggle with a lack of skilled workers. The third visit was to Mission Leben -Psychosoziale Beratungsstelle which is a place for homeless people to come in to warm themselves, have breakfast und warm coffee or tea and wash and change their clothes. We met the social worker who told us more about their work and how they try to help these homeless people in their financial matters and sometimes in getting an apartment.

Picture 2. Together. Picture by Sandra Holtgreve.

We noticed that the social security system in Germany is more complicated and bureaucratic than in Finland. For example, it’s hard or almost impossible for homeless people to get health care services if she/he has lost her/his insurance card. In Finland you can always get the health care services you need because it’s your fundamental right. The workplaces we visited are suitable as professional training places for Bachelor Students of Social Sciences.

Finally, we would like to thank our host Sandra, who organized the visit excellently.

To our regret, we heard that new winds are blowing for her and new tasks await Sandra. However, we hope that the cooperation between Savonia UAS and RheinMain UAS will continue and prosper in future.

Writers:

Tuula Niskanen, Senior Lecturer in Social Services, Savonia UAS

Pirjo Turunen, Principal Lecturer of Social Sciences, Savonia UAS

Sanna Savela, Savonia UAS, help with editing