Reviewing My Growth
![Picture](/uploads/5/6/4/1/56412917/1794393_orig.jpg)
The shell is broken; The chick is out, well nourished, and ready to begin new life. Barriers against my knowledge and skills were broken with constant guidance, supervision and direction from instructors and supervisors.
My MSW journey was long but amazingly fruitful and wonderful with its own challenges. I recollect my first day at the University of Calgary, it was new and different. I began to explore and develop myself to the Social Worker I was hoping for. Through the process, I learned about my own social identity, my experiences and my background. It was indeed a moment of self-discovery.
My growth is made possible due to the remarkable supports I received from friends and faculty members who stood firmly with me, reminding me each day that I could do it. These individuals gave me hope when there was no hope. Being a single mom with a new born baby in a new country was no doubt a challenge. With determination and perseverance, the egg that was brooded and hatched has grown to a mature hen. My success song is by Will Smith.
My MSW journey was long but amazingly fruitful and wonderful with its own challenges. I recollect my first day at the University of Calgary, it was new and different. I began to explore and develop myself to the Social Worker I was hoping for. Through the process, I learned about my own social identity, my experiences and my background. It was indeed a moment of self-discovery.
My growth is made possible due to the remarkable supports I received from friends and faculty members who stood firmly with me, reminding me each day that I could do it. These individuals gave me hope when there was no hope. Being a single mom with a new born baby in a new country was no doubt a challenge. With determination and perseverance, the egg that was brooded and hatched has grown to a mature hen. My success song is by Will Smith.
Smith’s words remind me of what I want to be within the Social Work profession and the difference that I will make in the lives of those I will work with.
I make a reflection here of the many things I have learned on this journey: I began learning about the Social Work profession, its values, about systems and structures, justices and oppressions that social workers work around.
In every course, articles, assignments, group discussions, and presentations, I felt the change happening within me. These were exciting and challenging discovery of my personal self: biases, triggers and traumas, internalized oppression and power over injustices and inequality, personal transference and counter-transferences. It was a time of recognizing who I am and developing my collaborative abilities, holistic approach and anti-oppressive practice approach. I learned to develop my confidence in working with people of different cultures and develop an ability to motivate and influence others. Each time of my life at the university was a moment of learning. It was a change where I had to learn and unlearn in order "to rise above personal biases and preferences to advance the social well-being of others" (CASW, 2008, p.3).
I make a reflection here of the many things I have learned on this journey: I began learning about the Social Work profession, its values, about systems and structures, justices and oppressions that social workers work around.
In every course, articles, assignments, group discussions, and presentations, I felt the change happening within me. These were exciting and challenging discovery of my personal self: biases, triggers and traumas, internalized oppression and power over injustices and inequality, personal transference and counter-transferences. It was a time of recognizing who I am and developing my collaborative abilities, holistic approach and anti-oppressive practice approach. I learned to develop my confidence in working with people of different cultures and develop an ability to motivate and influence others. Each time of my life at the university was a moment of learning. It was a change where I had to learn and unlearn in order "to rise above personal biases and preferences to advance the social well-being of others" (CASW, 2008, p.3).