These 16 weeks past faster than I could ever imagine. When I came to Toronto it seemed like I would be here forever and now I can hardly believe that I am leaving soon. Yes, this is my last Thursday at Warden office and tomorrow is the last day of the whole placement. Even though I look forward to some free time, it feels very sad to leave FSAT.
Those last few days I have gotten a lot of feed-back from the staff members I have been working with. They are much encouraging and make me look back at these weeks from a very positive perspective. I have learned a lot from them and they have given me good guidance when I have taken on new tasks. And perhaps most important, they have been very pleasant to be around and have created a warm environment to work in. I have definitely enjoyed my time and I am so grateful that I found this placement.
Who knows, maybe I find my way back to Toronto someday. I feel much welcome, that is for sure. But til then;
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Finding Me
For the last seven weeks I have facilitated a group program together with two other counsellors within the Violence Against Women team. The group is now coming to an end and as I look back I realize this work has given me a lot of experience to bring into my future practice. The program is called Finding Me and expressive art is the method that we have been using. The participants are women who have experienced abuse in the past and is now trying to orient towards a life on their own and heal from the trauma; finding themselves. Every session has been focusing on various artistic ways to express feelings and thoughts, such as painting, writing, dancing, acting etc. The participants are not requested to have any artistic qualities and the work they do is not to be judged. There where some women who had worries in the beginning, but the creativity we have seen these weeks is astonishing. I am very glad to see alternative methods being used in social work, because I believe it is essential for a social worker to have a range of tools to work with. The diversity among people must be reflected in the social services we offer.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The web
Last week our monthly team meeting had a visit from the FSAT webmaster. She was bringing some ideas forward about how to make the internet a way for clients to access FSAT. In the meeting we where discussing different possibilities of how the counsellors can be involved.
Counsellors’, where saying that their clients usually do not have access to a computer/internet or they do not know how to use it. Therefore the investment in time for the counsellors to pay attention to internet connections is not really worth it, considering that time is taken away from clients they see time being. As I understood it the counsellors in general agreed that there was no need for an internet forum as for now. No one is asking for it.
During the discussion I was thinking… Could it be that the counsellors have clients with no knowledge in using a computer and internet because their services are not accessible through that medium? There must be women experiencing abuse out there who prefer using internet and email over a phone call. Internet has some advantages; it is more discreet and you do not have to pay attention to office hours. It might also be easier for a person to write about their situation rather than explaining over the phone. My point is that perhaps we get the clients that we open the door for and if we open other doors I think that other people will enter.
Counsellors’, where saying that their clients usually do not have access to a computer/internet or they do not know how to use it. Therefore the investment in time for the counsellors to pay attention to internet connections is not really worth it, considering that time is taken away from clients they see time being. As I understood it the counsellors in general agreed that there was no need for an internet forum as for now. No one is asking for it.
During the discussion I was thinking… Could it be that the counsellors have clients with no knowledge in using a computer and internet because their services are not accessible through that medium? There must be women experiencing abuse out there who prefer using internet and email over a phone call. Internet has some advantages; it is more discreet and you do not have to pay attention to office hours. It might also be easier for a person to write about their situation rather than explaining over the phone. My point is that perhaps we get the clients that we open the door for and if we open other doors I think that other people will enter.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Tuition fees
Today I had lunch with another social work student, who is also doing a placement at Family Service Association of Toronto. She is conducting her internship with a different team, but we are located at the same office.
“So, you don’t have tuition fees in Sweden?” She is definitely not the first one to ask, and most people can hardly believe it when I say; “No, that’s right.” We talked about it, and more and more during my stay in Toronto I have come to realize just how fortunate I am. My choice of future profession was never depending on my or my parents’ income, and I strongly believe that University education would not have been my priority if I would have to pay for it. For one thing, my parents would have a hard time putting me and my three brothers through University. With a strong budget and years of saving up I might be able to afford it myself, but honestly I would probably not consider an education to be worth it. Now, after two and a half years of studies I can not imagine my life without the experience of academic education, but before I entered the University I did not appreciate it as much.
From a greater perspective I think it is beneficial for the whole society if education is accessible for everyone. If at least economy is not a barrier it creates a broader diversity among students and researchers in the Universities and knowledge is produced from varied points of views. It also contributes to equality in society, since knowledge is well connected with power and influence. Those things are difficult to measure with dollars and cents, so many people question if tax money are well invested when they pay for free Universities. I am, for one, convinced that the outcome is overall positive and invaluable, and other students (current and former) I spoke to in Toronto seem to share my thoughts.
“So, you don’t have tuition fees in Sweden?” She is definitely not the first one to ask, and most people can hardly believe it when I say; “No, that’s right.” We talked about it, and more and more during my stay in Toronto I have come to realize just how fortunate I am. My choice of future profession was never depending on my or my parents’ income, and I strongly believe that University education would not have been my priority if I would have to pay for it. For one thing, my parents would have a hard time putting me and my three brothers through University. With a strong budget and years of saving up I might be able to afford it myself, but honestly I would probably not consider an education to be worth it. Now, after two and a half years of studies I can not imagine my life without the experience of academic education, but before I entered the University I did not appreciate it as much.
From a greater perspective I think it is beneficial for the whole society if education is accessible for everyone. If at least economy is not a barrier it creates a broader diversity among students and researchers in the Universities and knowledge is produced from varied points of views. It also contributes to equality in society, since knowledge is well connected with power and influence. Those things are difficult to measure with dollars and cents, so many people question if tax money are well invested when they pay for free Universities. I am, for one, convinced that the outcome is overall positive and invaluable, and other students (current and former) I spoke to in Toronto seem to share my thoughts.
Friday, November 2, 2007
The United Way
October 31st was also the last day of The United Way annual campaign. Many people have been very busy during the campaign to raise funds for the United Way. The CN climb that I participated was just one of many events arranged by the United Way.
The United Way is a nation wide umbrella organization, and The Family Service Association of Toronto (FSAT) is a member. The fundraising campaign that is held in Toronto distributes money back to its member agencies in Toronto. FSAT is one of the largest recipients of The United Way.
Some people argue that The United Way consume too much of the raised funds to finance its own administration. If the member agencies raised the money themselves they would get more out of it. People who disagree say that The United Way spares the member agencies from the administrations of raising money themselves and is more effective in that way, which is beneficial for social work. I have no opinion in this matter, since I have never seen any evaluation that could have some clarifying input, but I am glad that I had a chance to be involved to raise money for a good cause.
The United Way is a nation wide umbrella organization, and The Family Service Association of Toronto (FSAT) is a member. The fundraising campaign that is held in Toronto distributes money back to its member agencies in Toronto. FSAT is one of the largest recipients of The United Way.
Some people argue that The United Way consume too much of the raised funds to finance its own administration. If the member agencies raised the money themselves they would get more out of it. People who disagree say that The United Way spares the member agencies from the administrations of raising money themselves and is more effective in that way, which is beneficial for social work. I have no opinion in this matter, since I have never seen any evaluation that could have some clarifying input, but I am glad that I had a chance to be involved to raise money for a good cause.
Monday, October 22, 2007
The CN Climb
As I got closer to the CN tower yesterday morning I met more and more people in red T-shirts. They had all gone up the CN tower for the United Way campaign using the stairs. Their sweaty T-shirts and exhausted faces really worried me, because I was on my way to do the same thing.
Frankly speaking, my bottom is a bit sore today. I am not totally out of shape, but I have never climbed that many steps at once as I did yesterday. After 23 minutes and 55 seconds sweating in the staircases of CN tower I finally reached the top. The average time is about 30 minutes, so I felt quite good about my accomplishment. After enjoying the view for a while the elevator took me down in two minutes. When I got outside the tower my eyes followed the grey pedestal all the way up to the white bulb where I just came from, and I could not believe that I walked all the way up there!
I would like to thank all of you who contributed to this event by donating money! My donations summed up to $80, and I definitely think it was worth climbing for : )
Frankly speaking, my bottom is a bit sore today. I am not totally out of shape, but I have never climbed that many steps at once as I did yesterday. After 23 minutes and 55 seconds sweating in the staircases of CN tower I finally reached the top. The average time is about 30 minutes, so I felt quite good about my accomplishment. After enjoying the view for a while the elevator took me down in two minutes. When I got outside the tower my eyes followed the grey pedestal all the way up to the white bulb where I just came from, and I could not believe that I walked all the way up there!
I would like to thank all of you who contributed to this event by donating money! My donations summed up to $80, and I definitely think it was worth climbing for : )
Monday, October 15, 2007
Monday
Thursdays and Fridays I have the honour of having company in my office room, by part time student Karen. It is really pleasant to have a reason to take a brake for a chat and it is so easy since she is right next to me. Off course she is a very nice woman. But today it is Monday and I am alone in the room...
Last week I spent a lot of time riding the rocket between FSA Offices. I appreciate the opportunities I get to spend time outside my office room, but last week was a bit much. Therefore I did not really get the chance to enjoy the company in the office last week and now Thursday seems far away. Most of the staff in this office work part time, which makes Mondays quiet compared to the busy end of the week when they are all in.
On Wednesday the other student, Daisy, will come in and stay until Friday. She is next door, but I can relay on her sunny visits now and then. Mondays are tough for everyone, they say, but the contrast of the enjoyable Friday makes the Monday even more boring. As I hope for the two first days of the week to pass quickly, I am going to fall deep into my reading…
Last week I spent a lot of time riding the rocket between FSA Offices. I appreciate the opportunities I get to spend time outside my office room, but last week was a bit much. Therefore I did not really get the chance to enjoy the company in the office last week and now Thursday seems far away. Most of the staff in this office work part time, which makes Mondays quiet compared to the busy end of the week when they are all in.
On Wednesday the other student, Daisy, will come in and stay until Friday. She is next door, but I can relay on her sunny visits now and then. Mondays are tough for everyone, they say, but the contrast of the enjoyable Friday makes the Monday even more boring. As I hope for the two first days of the week to pass quickly, I am going to fall deep into my reading…
