Students Build Professional Skills and Global Perspectives

A cohort of Master of Social Work (MSW) students from Alabama A&M University embarked on the department’s first structured international field placement in Zambia this summer. The trip was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of State. Over two weeks, the program combined professional growth, cultural immersion, and ethical reflection, providing students with hands-on experience in community organizations, government institutions, and social service agencies. Participants addressed pressing social issues, including poverty, health disparities, child welfare, policy development, and community empowerment, while developing the cultural competencies essential for professional excellence.

The students who traveled to Zambia included: Michayla Johnson from Clinton, Mississippi; Angel Hayes from Birmingham, Alabama; Desiree' Munford from Atlanta, Georgia; Nyla Lofton from Detroit, Michigan; and Jacobie Kelsey from Gallatin, Tennessee.

Student placements included Bauleni United Sports Academy in Lusaka, where they learned how sports and mentorship programs drive youth development; the Zambia National Assembly, where they observed live parliamentary proceedings; and the University of Zambia, where they exchanged ideas with peers and faculty. Additional visits to Habitat for Humanity Zambia, the Department of Social Welfare, and an HIV/AIDS nonprofit offered insight into public health and housing interventions. In Kitwe, students collaborated with Faith Orphanage, gaining hands-on experience in faith-based empowerment initiatives. Across seven cities – Lusaka, Kabwe, Kapiri-Mposhi, Kitwe, Luanshya, Chingola, and Solwezi – they developed key skills in advocacy, needs assessment, case management, community mobilization, and intercultural communication.

Reflecting on their time in Zambia, Michayla Johnson of Clinton, Mississippi, said, “Visiting Zambia has deeply impacted my perspective as a social worker. This experience inspired me to want to share the knowledge and tools I’ve gained, to help support growth in areas where they may be underserved. It’s made me more driven to bridge those gaps and advocate for culturally appropriate approaches to care. Overall, Zambia opened my eyes to the importance of global perspective in social work practice.”

Desiree Munford from Atlanta, Georgia, added, “I was able to spend an unforgettable month in Zambia, and the love I felt for the people and culture there will stay with me forever. This journey was not only an academic or professional experience, but it was also life changing. The people I met, the stories I heard, and the lessons I learned will remain with me for a lifetime.”

The students’ global journey continued with a two-day cultural immersion in Doha, Qatar, where they explored significant social and economic sites, gaining additional perspectives on international development and cross-cultural engagement. In October, they extended their experience to New York, presenting at Zambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and touring the United Nations Headquarters, guided by Chama, Diggs, and Dr. Tonya Perry, Chair of Social Work.

Chama emphasized the significance of the program, noting, “This trip accorded the students with a uniquely tailored and transformative opportunity to engage in life-changing cross-cultural learning. It also highlighted the critical role AAMU is playing in making a global footprint.”

(Photo L-R) Michayla Johnson, Desiree' Munford, Zambia National Assembly official, Dr. Samson Chama, Angel Hayes, Nyla Lofton, Jacobie Kelsey, Professor Willie Diggs