A reciprocal working model for fieldwork with international social work students

The literature on social work education includes descriptions of several models for international social work (ISW) training, as well as criticisms relating to methods of implementing these models. The current article describes a new version of a fieldwork reciprocal working model, which aims to enhance and broaden social workers' perceptions of ISW, as well as to provide a basis for better integration of local and global social work programmes. In addition, it aims to reducethe possibility of replicating colonialist and patronising professionalism. By presenting and analysing two case summaries of an experiment with a reciprocal working model for fieldwork, the article highlights the contribution of this combined training method to strengthening the students' competence to engage in ISW in their local domains. In addition, the difficulties and challenges accompanying the model are discussed. Recommendations for future research are discussed.