Who am I?
Hola, Mi nombre es Zhakia! I am a BSW student at Virginia Commonwealth University. As a rising second semester junior, I had an amazing opportunity to study abroad this summer in the Dominican Republic. The program was geared around social work service-learning and cultural experience. When I saw the opportunity learn in learn the complexity of Social Work in the Dominican Republic while engaging in service I knew the program was for me. I looked forward to studying abroad in the because I felt it would give me cultural immersion in which would further my competency enhance as one of my future career goals I will greatly benefit are to become a bilingual social worker for communities. Even though I felt connected to this opportunity, I knew early preparation was key for this journey. I knew there would be new situations and environments in that I would encounter that I had to be ready to adapt to and to serve others within.Therefore, I molded myself to be more open-minded, to stay compassionate, culturally sensitive and accepting.
During the course I gained experience in working with a different population while seeing how social work is carried out in a different country. In addition, I created friendships, professional partnerships and what seem to feel like a second family. I can attest that this trip truly made me think of social work in a different perspective. Since I have not had the opportunity to do an internship through VCU just yet, this gave me hands-on experience of what the work force is like. I never realized the many areas that social workers could be employed within.
Upon my return, I plan to share all of the knowledge I gained during this trip with my school community as well as apply it to my studies. I feel a social worker should be diversely educated in cultures and for me I do not plan on stopping here. My time at VCU is quickly approaching an end and I am beyond excited to see what else life has in store for me. I am grateful for the opportunity to receive a full scholarship to go on this trip and I am even more grateful for the individuals I have met along the way. Throughout my career their influence will forever shine through me and my service.
