The Socialpod

In this episode of The Socialpod , we return to Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena — but this time from the organizers’ perspective. Student organizers Feli and Daniel reflect on what it was actually like to plan and carry out International University Week 2026 in Jena, centered around the theme Democracy and Human Rights . From the first preparations in August 2025 to welcoming studen...

In this follow-up episode of The Socialpod , we stay in Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena during International University Week 2026—but shift the lens from academic themes to the student experience itself. While the first episode explored democracy and human rights through workshops and field visits, this episode moves into what happens in between: the informal learning spaces where s...

In this episode of The Socialpod , we are on location at Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena during International University Week 2026. With the theme Democracy and Human Rights , the conversation centers on how social work engages with rising political tensions, human rights challenges, and questions of participation across Europe. Joined by international students—particularly from Bel...

In this episode of The Socialpod, we tour the four hosts of International University Week 2026 (20–24 April): HUMAK University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen, PXL University College in Hasselt, and Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena. You’ll hear concrete previews of workshops and field visits, plus practical tips for getting around (f...

In this episode of TheSocialPod , recorded in Helsinki, Steinar Vikholt hosts an insightful discussion with coordinators from four universities who are organizing the upcoming 2025 International University Week (IUW). The episode kicks off with an introduction to the SocNet98 network, which includes 17 European universities working in the field of social work. IUW is an annual event where students...

In this episode of The SocialPod , Steinar Vikholt from the University of South-Eastern Norway is joined by Professors Hannah Nguyen and Phu Phan from California State University, Dominguez Hills, to explore the implementation of the recovery model in mental health and social work. The conversation centers on the strengths-based approach to helping individuals with mental illness, focusing on thei...

In this episode of The SocialPod , hosted by Steinar Vikholt from the University of South-Eastern Norway, the conversation revolves around the reflections on the experiences of international exchange students participating in the "Social Work in the Global World" project. Joined by Professors Phu Phan and Hannah Nguyen from California State University, Dominguez Hills, the discussion revisits them...

In this episode of The SocialPod , four international students participating in the 2024 SoWGloW (Social Work in the Global World) course share their personal and academic experiences while studying abroad in Norway. Led by Professor Phu Phan from California State University, Dominguez Hills, the conversation provides an in-depth reflection on the cultural, academic, and social challenges the stud...

How are sick leave in differernt countries, and how does this affect us when it comes to work inclution? We are in this episode comparing the rules for sick leave in the US context with the Norwegian context. To learn more about this, please check out the following video that is available for free online: "Sick leave in the US - an example" This episode is also available as a video (with subtitles...

"We look for the spark. We stir them up. We spread the fire." This is the slogan of the oranisation that i founded and run by social worker and faculty Tim Vermeiren. We have a sit down with him and two others to talk about what the organisation does, and why it is important that social workers also know something about starting and running an organisation to help with some of the social challenge...

In this episode we invited two students and one facluty from St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences about their experiences from this IUW. Listen to their favorite workshops, and the best field visits! And if you want to know more about iLab, please check out this link! In the episode: Steinar Vikholt, international coordinator University of South-Eastern Norway Christine Haselbacher, Academic...

Welcome to this episode where we are in the beautiful city of Leuven in Belgium! We are joining IUW 2024 that is hosted by UCLL - University of Applied Sciences ! In this first episode we will talk to the organizers and one of the students that is attending the IUW for some insights about the theme, the preparations and the different workshops! In future episodes we will also have a talk with lect...

Why should social workers focus on "meaning"? The most common answer students give to why they want to become social workers is ‘I want to help people’. In the global definition of social work this is described as engaging ‘people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing’. The perspective of bringing meaning into life gives an interesting way of carrying out this mission. In...

International University Week 2024 is going to be held in Odense – Denmark, Jihlava – Czechia and Leuven – Belgium April 22-26th, and we have had a talk with two of the organicers of these weeks! Listen in on what the topics are going to be, and what is great about these locations! In the Socialpod makeshift podcast studio on a terrace in Girona - Spain: Steinar Vikholt - SocNet98 coordinator at U...

IUW 2023 in Linz in coming to and end, and we made an episode where the students themselves could share their experiences, what they learned, and why they would love others to join future IUWs! In the studio: Joan Tayeda Cassou, student of Universitat de Girona Mary Stawski, student of Ernst - Abbe Hochschule Jena Marius Andrè Dahl, student of University of South-Eastern Norway Steinar Vikholt, as...

Rocio Garcia from CSU-DH held a workshop named "Client Collaboration within Forensic Settings" at the IUW 2023 in Linz, and we had a talk with her and two of the students that attended the workshop to hear about their impressions.  In the studio: Assistant Professor Steinar Vikholt  International Coordinator - University of South Eastern Norway Rocio Garcia, MSW, LCSW - California State University...

Is social work different from country to country, and to we see any trends in how social work is changing? In this episode we try to explore this with the perspectives from Austria, Norway and USA. In the studio we are: FH-Prof. Mag. Dr. Christian Stark. Head of Studies Social Work Program - University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria Prof. Phu Phan, MSW, PhD. Department Chair - California State...

We are live at IUW in Linz at University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria , and we had a sitdown with some of the people involved in this exiting week, both faculty and students! In the studio we are: FH-Prof. Mag. Dr. Christian Stark. Head of Studies Social Work Program - University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria Mag. Iwona Hunstorfer. Head of International Office - University of Applied Scie...

In this episode, you will listen to a recorded podcast episode that is made by two of our students that have taken a class called SoWGloW, Social work in a global world. Their assignment in the course is to make a podcast episode that shows that they have reached one of the learning outcomes in the course.  We hope that you as students or teachers can be inspired by this episode to use podcasts as...

In the studio: Steinar Vikholt - Assistant professor at University of South-Eastern Norway Hans A. Hauge - Head of department (IHSV) at University of South-Eastern Norway Rocio Garcia - Adjuct professor, MSW, LCSW at California State University - Dominguez Hills References: Eide, K., Lidén, H., Haugland, B., Fladstad, T., & Hauge, H. A. (2020). Trajectories of ambivalence and trust: experience...

Correction: By a mistake some of the figures on number of tribes was quoted wrong. The right text: "There is 26 major tribes and 100 subtribes in Arunachal, and around 200 major tribes are in the entire North East India." In the podcast: Steinar Vikholt - Assistant professor at University of South-Eastern Norway Terbi Loyi - Ph. D., Dept. Of Sociology, Savitribai Phule Pune University , India Abhi...

In the podcast: Steinar Vikholt - SocNet98 coordinator at University of South-Eastern Norway Sari Höylä - SocNet98 coordinator at Humak University of Applied Sciences Marika Curganov - SocNet98 coordinator at Hanze University of Applied Sciences Anne-Sofie H. Vedel - SocNet98 coordinator at UCL University College

In the podcast: Teesta Chandra: M.A  Sociology student at Savitribai Phule Pune University and exchange student at University of South-Eastern Norway from Calcutta, India. Sayari Roy Chowdhury: M.A Sociology student at Savitribai Phule Pune University and exchange student at University of South-Eastern Norway from Calcutta, India. Steinar Vikholt - Assistant professor at University of South-Easter...

The episode are based on the TED talk " Learn a new culture " by Julien S. Bourrelle. In the podcast you will hear the personal reflections from both students and one faculty. The view that is presented are personal and is meant to be reflected on. The episode can also be viewed as a video . In the studio:  Iva Ujamaa from California State University - Dominguez Hills Karimi Avalos from California...

Read more about Design Thinking here: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/design-thinking  In the podcast: Steinar Vikholt, Assistant Professor at USN, SocNet98 coordinator Finja, 22 years old, 6th semester social work at Hochschule Bremen, Germany Bernadett, 24 years old, 2th semester bachelor in social work, University of Applied Sciences - Upper Austria Johanna, Professor of St...