Why BUSSW?
Hey all! Mae here – I’m a second-year clinical practice student and I am here to tell you why I chose BUSSW.
My number one reason for choosing BU School of Social Work is that you can really find your community here. Featured in this post are a few of the amazing friends I’ve made and two wonderful events that showcase BUSSW’s inclusive and diverse community.
My connections started in the Student Union, which is BUSSW’s central organization for student life. I felt lost when I first came to BUSSW. That feeling changed after I attended a Student Union meeting and was able to make friends who helped guide and prepare me for my second year. I was in awe of the second-years’ leadership and how their voices were respected by BUSSW administrators.
Student Union is one place where both first- and second-year students come together to work towards making the school a better place and creating a real student community. The photo above is from our Indigenous People’s celebration where we hosted a potluck meal with music, learning, and community. It was near the end of the semester, and despite being stressed about finals, we all wanted to come together as a community.
Two marks of a healthy, thriving community are when people feel heard, and when the community is open to growth and change. In my experience, BUSSW wants to hear your voice as a student and this really matters if you want to affect any kind of change in the program. For instance, I became a student representative for the School’s Alumni Steering Committee and met regularly with Dean Jorge Delva. Having a dean who is so accessible makes me feel that my ideas are heard and respected. During my time in the program, BUSSW has listened to and worked with students to incorporate student voices within the school. For instance, over the past couple of years, students have led initiatives to make changes in the curriculum, field education, and course options. The ability to have your voice heard while in Social Work School is important and has allowed me and my peers to further develop key social work and advocacy skills.
This photo is from an outing for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) affinity group that fellow student Kimberley Richardson (a second-year student featured in the photo below) and I started at BUSSW. Kimberley and I wanted to create a place where students of color could come together and really be there to support each other. We saw this need and were able to address it with support from administrators. Sometimes it can feel lonely as a BIPOC student but, through this group, we were able to bring a community together with food and a challenging, fun activity. Recent graduates Cassie Luna (’20) and Pace McConkie Jr. (’20) helped us arrange a BIPOC climbing event at the Boston University gym, creating an inclusive environment where everyone felt comfortable enough to try something new and have fun doing it.
The rock climbing experience is one of my favorite memories from my time at BUSSW and I am so thankful for the teamwork it took to put it together. Many of us would not have met each other if it wasn’t for this bonding activity. Personally, it was my first time rock climbing as an adult and I was petrified! But with the BIPOC instructors and fellow students, I felt fully supported. It reminded me how important it is to try something new and that your community will have your back. I hope that you will get to experience that feeling when you come to BUSSW.
Note: To learn more about Student Union and how to get involved, contact sswsu@bu.edu.