Can Joint Mobility Projects at Universities Promote Safe Transitions for Refugees?

The Experience of Jordanian Social Work Students

Authors

  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jehad Ali Al-Saaideh AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asem Mohammad Al-Bakar AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan
  • Prof. Dr. Sahar Al-Makhamreh German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan
  • Ms. Farah Nusser AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan
  • Ms. Heba Sarhan German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan
  • Mr. Omar Taweh University of Massachusetts, Massachusett, U.S.A.
  • Ms. Farah Khalaf AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan
  • Ms. Leen Hamdy AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57947/qrp.v63i1.91

Keywords:

mobility program, social work, refugee women, Jordan, student project

Abstract

This critical case study analyzes the experiences of social work students who participated in an international joint mobility project facilitated by collaboration between four national and international universities. The project was specifically focused on female refugees in the host country of Jordan. It aimed to offer strategies to inform evidence-based social work practice and to aid student social workers in developing a multicultural understanding of the cultural context affecting the lives of refugee women. The research design of this study adopts a participatory case analysis that enables researchers to critically reflect on their biases and experiences when interviewing the women. Data was collected through a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews with humanitarian and social workers, Jordanian student diaries, and focus group discussions.

Our findings suggest that students involved in such mobility projects can enhance skills necessary for care delivery that respects human rights. We found that improved cultural understanding by social workers of female refugees helped empower them to prepare for integration, acknowledge their positive community contributions, and promote inclusion and social cohesion. Specifically, it enhances skills such as cultural competency, sensitivity, self-awareness, and adherence to the principle of “no harm”. Through longitudinal reflection opportunities, students concluded that participating in such mobility projects contributed significantly to their professional growth, and further emphasized importance of the development of social work teaching and practice, both nationally and internationally.

Author Biographies

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jehad Ali Al-Saaideh, AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan

Dr. Jehad Ali Al-Saideh is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work at the AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asem Mohammad Al-Bakar, AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan

Dr. Asem Mohammad Al-Bakar is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work at the AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan.

Prof. Dr. Sahar Al-Makhamreh, German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan

Dr. Sahar AlMakhamreh is a professor for social work in the Department for Social Work at the German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan.

Ms. Farah Nusser, AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan

Farah Nusser is a social work graduate of the Department of Social Work at the AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan.

Ms. Heba Sarhan, German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan

Heba Sarhan is a graduate of the Professional Diploma Social Work/Migration and Refugees of the Department of Social Work at the German Jordanian University, Amman, Jordan.

Mr. Omar Taweh, University of Massachusetts, Massachusett, U.S.A.

Omar Taweh is a master student of medicine in the Medical School at the University of Massachusetts, Massachusett, U.S.A.

Ms. Farah Khalaf, AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan

Farah Khalaf is a social work graduate of the Department of Social Work at AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan.

Ms. Leen Hamdy, AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan

Leen Hamdy is a social work graduate of the Department of Social Work at the AlBalqa Applied University, Balqa, Jordan.

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Published

03/15/2024

How to Cite

Al-Saaideh, J. A., Al-Bakar, A. M., Al-Makhamreh, S., Nusser, F., Sarhan, H., Taweh, O., … Hamdy, L. (2024). Can Joint Mobility Projects at Universities Promote Safe Transitions for Refugees? : The Experience of Jordanian Social Work Students. Quarterly on Refugee Problems - AWR Bulletin, 63(1), 31–47. https://doi.org/10.57947/qrp.v63i1.91