Study trips and international activities

In May 2024, our in-depth project on social work with families affected by addiction from an international perspective undertook a study trip to Budapest, Hungary, together with our lecturers, Prof. Stefanie Sauer and Christian Gedschold. The study trip, which was financially supported by Erasmus, lasted five days.

On the first day of our journey, we went on a “memorial walk” to explore Hungarian self-narratives by visiting memorials in public spaces in Budapest. We started at the "Shoes on the Danube Bank" memorial, commemorating the Jews who were murdered by members of the Hungarian fascist Arrow Cross movement in 1944/45 during World War II. We then visited the Trianon Memorial of National Unity and the Memorial of the Victims of the Nazi Occupation. These moving visits allowed us to reflect on the profound impact of history on Budapest's cultural and social fabric. Marsovszky's (2021) work on nationalistic esotericism in Hungary provided us with a deeper understanding of these sites. We were surprised by the Hungarian government's actions in appropriating parts of other countries and places as their own.

The next day began with an introduction at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) to social work in Hungary. Prof. Dorka Sik, a social worker by profession, familiarized us with the living conditions of the Roma community and related political issues. We then visited the H52 Youth Office and Community Space, which supports children and adolescents with social problems in a challenging district. This visit gave us valuable insights into their operations and their impact on the local community, and we were able to see how different social work practices can be, depending on the country.

Afterwards, we visited the Budapest University of Jewish Studies, where Prof. Zoltan Haberman guided us through the library and the university’s synagogue. He explained the importance of the university for the Jewish community in Budapest and how it welcomes everyone to study. We were able to discuss subjects such as the separation of men and women, as per the new Rabbi's wishes, and the Hungarian government's attempts to Christianize the social work profession. 
In the afternoon, we participated in a city tour of the 7th and 8th districts, guided by Norbert, a Roma and member of the LGBTQ community. The tour was offered by UCCU, a Roma self-help organization. We were able to deepen our understanding of intersectional issues, gentrification, and unaffordable housing through his perspective.

Back at ELTE, we attended lectures by Prof. Dorka Sik on childcare and child protection in Hungary, and by Prof. Em. Endre Sik (Dorka’s father) on migration and “the moral panic button,” highlighting political strategies to curtail the rights of people with migration backgrounds and other minorities, such as LGBTQ* individuals, as well as the Hungarian Government's undermining of democracy. This was shocking but also evident in street advertisements and local customs. 
We then engaged in a case study on child protection assessment, comparing approaches between Germany and Hungary. This discussion highlighted contrasts and similarities in social work practices.

On our final day, we visited “Fogado,” a service run by the Maltese Association, which supports addicts and their families. Team leader András Frankó welcomed us and gave a lecture about group sessions for children affected by addiction. This experience was deeply moving and highlighted the support systems available. We concluded with an evaluation session, reflecting on our visit to Fogado before returning to Berlin. This trip enriched our understanding of social work from a multicultural perspective, motivating us to learn from other countries and improve practices in Germany. We are deeply thankful for this educational and memorable experience.

Fernanda Loredo, Christina Tsitiridou, students of Module 5.1. In-Depth Project on Social Work with Families Affected by Addiction from an International Perspective