Contextualizing Practice in Cambodia: A Hidden Living Place with Practice Insight

Authors

  • Monit Cheung University of Houston
  • Michelle Srader

Keywords:

Chong Khneas, Cambodia; Tonle Sap Lake; Contextual Practice; Child Welfare; Observational Approach; International Social Work, Chong Khneas, Cambodia, Tonle Sap Lake, Contextual Practice, Child Welfare, International Social Work

Abstract

This article is not a first-person narrative but rather a cultural reflection after a study-abroad program in Cambodia that aimed to provide an approach for promoting a deeper appreciation of international social work practice. We (the authors) describe and analyze our interactions with residents in the “floating city” of Chong Khneas using a contextual approach. We categorize these exchanges into context recognition, context analysis, and context management. We focus additional analyses on four contextual environments (people-centered, knowledge-centered, assessment-centered, and community-centered environments) to develop a cross-cultural practice framework. Our reflection supports two practice principles for social work practice: learning through human interactions and assessing with positivity.

Author Biography

Monit Cheung, University of Houston

Monit Cheung, PhD, LCSW, is Professor in Social Work, Coordinator of Clinical Practice Concentration, Principal Investigator of Child Welfare Education Project.

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Published

2017-10-12

How to Cite

Cheung, M., & Srader, M. (2017). Contextualizing Practice in Cambodia: A Hidden Living Place with Practice Insight. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 22(3), 29–35. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/1420