Travelling to Work Overseas as a Social Worker

Social work is one of the most interesting careers to get involved in today. There is no limit to the help you can offer to people in need in your own country, and there are so many areas where help is needed to improve people’s quality of life. However, your work does not have to be limited to just the UK. If you are looking for a career in social work, then you can open many doors at home and abroad.

Having a career in social work opens up the doors to many opportunities, and one of those opportunities is the chance to work overseas.

Admittedly the UK has its fair share of social inequality and plenty of people in need of help. The problems of UK citizens are far and wide. Despite these facts, the UK does have a system for social worker that offers help to those that legitimately need it.

That is to say, it is good to know that the UK’s fiscal budget accounts for the provision of social workers as well as government grants to help private companies and charities within the field of social work offer help to UK citizens.

However, there are plenty of countries across the globe in which their governments do not have large tax bases that can contribute to a fiscal budget large enough to dedicate a portion of that to social work. In fact, some countries have no budget at all to put towards social care.

As a result of this, there are many government organisations and charities in developed countries in Europe and North America that focus on helping citizens in developing countries. Probably the most well-known continent that benefits from aid abroad is Africa which has the lowest number of economically developed countries in the world.

Getting Experience in A Foreign Country

As a social worker you will be able to explore the world. Most people dream of having a job in which they have the option to travel abroad and work toward that dream. However, it is amazing that so many people overlook the chance to work as a social worker because this career may hinder any chance of working in another country.

Here is a list of 10 world organisations that will hire the services of a qualified social worker and offer placements in foreign countries:

• International Justice Mission
• United Nations
• HelpAge International
• International Rescue Committee
• Food for the Hungry International
• Danish Refugee Council
• Women for Women International
• Save the Children
• World Health Organization
• Oxfam International Secretariat

Before you decide to travel abroad with one of these organisations make sure you prepare yourself for the task ahead. Many of the countries these organisations operate in can be dangerous and poverty very severe. You may want to pick and choose where you work based on one of several factors. Your skill set, any languages you speak, what you are able to tolerate mentally, and so on.

The chance to work abroad and help people in countries less fortunate than our own is a life-changing experience and an adventure that will stay with you forever. Thankfully social work offers you the chance to do this and when/if you decide to return home, you will have gained experience as a social worker that will be valuable to the development of the industry within the UK.