Canadore Social Service Worker Students Gain Global Perspective in Trinidad
Mar 26, 2025 | Vanessa Tignanelli, Storyteller & Content Creator
A group of Social Service Worker students from Canadore College recently returned from a transformative 14-day experiential learning trip to Trinidad. The trip was designed to broaden their perspectives, allowing them to engage directly with local communities, collaborate with social service organizations, and gain invaluable hands-on experience in an international setting.
Led by Helen Fennema, Professor of the School of Human Care and Social Services, and Dr. Christopher Duncanson-Hales, International Partnerships Coordinator, the trip was more than just a cultural exchange—it was a chance for the students to immerse themselves in the diverse approaches to social work used in different communities and strengthen their skills in real-world settings.
A Journey into Community Support
The students — Rhiannah Pinkerton from North Bay, Julianna Colakic from Renfrew County, Shaba Tarannum from India, and Mercedes Cárdenas from Colombia — collaborated with several local organizations in Trinidad. These included Ortinola Great House, which focuses on agricultural and community development, and Elijah's Bread, which supports vulnerable populations with food distribution and emotional support. They also worked with Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC), an agency providing disaster relief and community support, and the St. Joseph Youth Club, which supports at-risk youth through mentoring programs and sports activities.
The students had the opportunity to engage in joint sessions and excursions alongside students from the University of the West Indies (UWI), including Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work students, fostering rich cross-cultural learning.
Reflecting on the experience, Mercedes shared, "Trinidad and Tobago is a country with beautiful natural landscapes and a resilient, diverse population. The people are kind and welcoming, despite the challenges they face in their communities. It was an enriching experience both personally and professionally."
Julianna echoed this sentiment: "It was amazing to meet people so willing to share their hardships and take pride in their country. This trip has opened my eyes to the world and made me more open to connecting with locals in new places."
Real-World Learning in a Different Culture
The students didn’t just observe; they actively participated in workshops, outreach programs, and community-based initiatives. At ITNAC, they helped with disaster relief efforts, providing supplies and learning about crisis management and community development.
Shaba Tarannum reflected on the importance of community-driven social services: "One of the biggest lessons I learned was how deeply social service professionals are embedded in their communities, offering culturally relevant services through grassroots initiatives. I also saw how mental health interventions are tailored to local traditions, making them more effective."
For Rhiannah Pinkerton, the experience provided a new perspective on global social work: "It was enlightening to see how different countries address social challenges. I was particularly moved by how religion plays such a central role in social work in Trinidad. It made me realise the importance of creating safe spaces for clients, no matter their background or beliefs."
A key takeaway for the students was the role of religious organizations in Trinidad’s social services. Many on-the-ground NGOs are faith-based, with the church often filling the gap in providing charitable services. Despite the majority of their work being rooted in faith, the students recognized how these organizations could serve as models for supporting people in Canada.
Julianna reflected, "This experience has made me think about how I can better assist Canadians who weren’t born here. Our system has gaps when it comes to supporting immigrants, especially when we don’t understand their religious backgrounds. I’d love to learn how to better support clients from diverse faiths. Traveling has allowed me to apply my cultural awareness in a meaningful way."
Professor Helen Fennema emphasized the importance of this kind of learning: "Social work has its roots in charitable work, and here in Trinidad, religion remains deeply integrated into the role of social workers. We discussed the importance of being aware of ethnocentrism before we left. The students embraced this mindset fully, respecting the differences they encountered and approaching every situation with curiosity and openness."
The Role of Experiential Learning
This trip was a prime example of the power of experiential learning, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world settings while broadening their understanding of global social issues. As Dr. Christopher Duncanson-Hales, trip coordinator, explained, "International placements like this are crucial. They push students out of their comfort zones and expose them to different ways of addressing challenges."
The Trinidad trip was just the beginning of Canadore’s goal to offer more international placements for Social Service Worker students. Professor Fennema remarked, "Social problems in Trinidad are similar to what we experience in Canada, whether it be food insecurity, affordable housing, mental health and addictions, or a lack of resources - these are issues that are faced globally." Canadore College is looking to expand its international partnerships and offer similar opportunities to more students in the future, with plans to plans to explore opportunities for collaboration with institutions and organizations in the Caribbean and beyond.
Expanding Opportunities for Students
As the students return to Ontario for their final field placements, they now see the value of having the option to do their program placements abroad. Currently, all placements are domestic, within Ontario, but Canadore is working to create a pathway for international placements. "We want to build relationships globally and allow students to do their placements wherever they want, while ensuring duty of care is in place," Dr. Duncanson-Hales added. "There’s a strong student appetite for international placements."
The next step for Canadore is to conduct more research and work on creating a report focused on internationalization strategies. This project will look at how international placements fit into the academic institution and how reciprocal relationships with global partners can be built, all with a priority on student well-being and safety.
For the students who participated in the trip, the impact will last a lifetime. Rhiannah summed it up: "I came back with a new perspective, a new sense of purpose. This trip didn’t just teach me about social work—it changed how I see the world."
