Norwegian social work students’ experiences with community work and NGOs in international field placement

Norwegian social work education traditionally emphasizes individualized service provision within a state-based welfare model, often giving limited attention to collective and community-oriented approaches. This qualitative study examines how 10 bachelor’s-level social work students from a single Norwegian university experienced a five-month international field placement in Australia, Belgium, Cuba, Denmark and Greece. The study focuses on how students engaged with community-based social work practices and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The findings show that students encountered diverse models of collective advocacy, community mobilization and organizational structures, broadening their understanding of community-based practice and alternative NGO-led welfare responses. Although students identified new professional possibilities through these experiences, they also faced challenges related to cross-cultural communication, contextual differences and limited prior knowledge of community social work. These challenges required students to adapt and develop skills related to cultural competence, flexibility and reflective learning about varied community norms and principles. Additionally, exposure to contrasting welfare systems highlighted the role of NGOs and community organizations as notable actors in social support. The study concludes that better integration of community-based social work and NGOs’ principles into pre-placement education is crucial for preparing students for effective international fieldwork.