During my MSW studies at HKU, I embarked on a transformative learning journey that encompassed a diverse range of experiences. The coursework delved deep into the core principles and practices of social work, providing me with a solid foundation of knowledge. However, it was the fusion of classroom learning with real-world fieldwork that truly enriched my understanding of this field. Beyond academics, student life at HKU was vibrant and supportive, fostering a sense of community among us aspiring social workers. Interactions with peers and faculty members further enriched my learning experience, as we shared our diverse perspectives and engaged in thought-provoking discussions.
Studying in the MSW programme has been an incredible and unforgettable experience. The curriculum provides a perfect balance between theoretical foundations and practical skills development. The lecturers and tutors go beyond the classroom to offer priceless mentoring and guidance. This program has not only expanded my professional horizons but also ignited a genuine passion for making a positive impact in people’s lives.
The MSW programme has provided me with diverse learning opportunities to integrate theory with practice. The coursework, fieldwork, and placement have further polished my social work skills by developing practical skills and bridging the gap between academia and the realities of social work practice. Besides, the programme goes beyond the conventional, nurturing personal growth through workshops that encourage self-exploration and development. It’s an enriching path that propels me forward as a future social worker.
The HKU MSW programme significantly enhanced my reflective skills and understanding of social work, particularly through valuable placements. Guided supervision and self-analysis honed my ability to assess and refine my practice. Real-world challenges fostered my personal and professional growth, also expanded the knowledge base and support network for my future career.
Pursuing MSW has been one of the most inspiring milestones in my life. The programme exclusively covers the theory and practice of social work, as well as guides me through professional development and personal growth. I would like to express heartfelt appreciation to the teaching and departmental staff who provided exceptional guidance and support, enabling a flexible, engaging, and personalized learning environment.
Fruitful, inspiring, and meaningful are the three adjectives I used to describe the MSW programme. Not only did the teachers equip me with useful theoretical frameworks and practical techniques in the workplace, they also offered me many opportunities to reflect on my personal values and beliefs. Equally important, with great support and guidance from my supervisors, the placement experiences enriched my practice wisdom. Overall, the comprehensive learning experience and all-round exposure enhanced my overall competence as a social worker.
Apart from high-quality theoretical and practical learning opportunities on the social work profession, the MSW programme in HKU also provides great emphasis on the social work values underpinning students’ service delivery and career development. Particularly, teachers have provided tremendous encouragement to students to make reflection on personal values. In such a supportive environment, I acquired clarity to understand myself as well as my passion to serve during the fruitful learning journey.
The MSW programme was the cornerstone of my career. It equipped me with a stronger foundation in social services by developing a solid knowledge base in human behaviour, social environment, and public policy. It helped me to identify and analyze issues from new perspectives. Participating in such an unforgettable journey, I also gained invaluable and supportive friendships.
The MSW programme provides me with an opportunity to learn in a classroom setting as well as a culturally diverse environment. In the classroom, I have learnt how to identify service users’ problems/needs and formulate evidence-based interventions, which make social work a profession. As HKU welcomes students from all backgrounds, its diversity helps sharpen my cultural sensitivity in daily life. More importantly, I am impressed by some teachers’ passion which gives me so much encouragement. Being a social worker is challenging but passion is definitely one of our anchors!
The MSW program facilitated both my personal and professional growth as a social worker. The courses equipped me with both conceptual frameworks and up-to-date knowledge. Meanwhile, the placements and course activities polished my social work assessment and intervention skills by putting what I learnt into practice. Those experiences also made me reflect on my personal values and beliefs. With the continuous support and guidance from my teachers, supervisors, department staff, and classmates, the MSW journey has shaped a better me!
The MSW programme gave me many unforgettable memories. Not only do the teachers guide us to be professional social workers, they are also concerned about our well-being and personal growth. Also, the programme offered us insightful perspectives on personal and social issues and equipped us with useful intervention skills to address them. As a graduate, I strongly feel that the HKU MSW programme has enriched my practice wisdom as well as my academic capacity.
I appreciate the department’s endeavours to encourage collaboration between different cohorts and graduates through workshops and gatherings. Such connections enable students to gather perspectives apart from academics to cultivate a positive identification with social work ethics, policies and development.
What impressed me the most in the HKU MSW programme was the supportive teaching crew throughout the study. They offered concrete and non-judgmental advice and support anytime you approached them. Meanwhile, they cared for students’ wellbeing in a comprehensive way that wasn’t limited to the social worker/career prospect. The fact that they rendered me support in the past two years motivates me to give back to the Department even now.
Social work is a value-driven profession that emphasizes professional competence and social mission. There’s no better way to accentuate this knowledge-value integration than to practise it in a real service setting! My placement has inspired me deeply in the needs of our service users, the role of social work within the healthcare setting, the chance to collaborate with other professionals, and the importance of ethical reflection. I’m truly grateful for the whole MSW experience, which allows me to grow into a competent social worker, as well as a humble person to serve.
Choosing “Family Social Work” as my concentration in the curriculum is a special experience in my MSW study. It helps me to be more focused in my study. The concentration core courses are well-designed and meet my need. By taking selected family-related course, I am equipped with basic theory, knowledge, and skills in this area, so that I can make systematical and in-depth analysis, and think beyond the presenting issue. All these help me to be more prepared for my future work.
I chose to study MSW at HKU because of its versatile curriculum. During our training, I was given opportunities to be exposed to various approaches such as cognitive behaviour therapy and adventure based counselling. Such exposure has broadened my horizon and sharpened my social work skills, preparing me to be an all-rounded social worker. Furthermore, declaring the concentration of “children and youth” has allowed me to achieve an in-depth understanding of the current youth policies and practices. The MSW journey was challenging yet fruitful and I thoroughly enjoyed it
As a foreigner undertaking the MSW part-time concurrent placement in Hong Kong, I was concerned about the availability of English-speaking placement opportunities and the quality of my practical learning experience. Hence, I was incredibly pleased when I was placed at the Nesbitt Centre for Adults with Learning Disabilities. Not only was I able to practise in a language that I was comfortable with, but the onsite real-world experience, excellent mentorship and supervision provided by the HKU fieldwork supervisor and support and guidance provided by the placement agency staff truly also made my placement fruitful. I was able to put theory into practice and experience the true challenges and meaningfulness of working with adults with learning disabilities, whilst also acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills needed to work with this group of target beneficiaries.
I joined the overseas placement programme of HKU last year. The overseas placement in Taiwan was a great and memorial experience for me. My agency supervisor and colleagues were very helpful and knowledgeable. They taught me a lot about foster care. Their congruence and passion gave me a lot of insight. Also, I have developed great relationship with my supervisors, colleagues, and clients. As I lived in the National Taiwan University, I could enjoy the university life. I met many new friends and ate lots of delicious food in Taiwan. I have gained 10 lbs. after the placement. It was such a fruitful and wonderful experience!
Diversity, flexibility, and creativity are the elements I found in the MSW programme at HKU. In the dynamic social service sector, I work on cross-sector collaborations with government, professional associations, business corporations, and academics. The MSW curriculum provides a variety of training from clinical skills to organization management, finance, and policy that can build my capacity to serve in diverse platforms such as direct service settings, policy advocacy, charities & foundations, and social enterprises. I enjoy the programme very much as it allows students to pave their own way in professional development.
Hello! I am now working in SWD. Tons of challenges in casework there. The MSW courses equipped me with knowledge in case formulation and skills in counselling. It also reminded me to understand clients in a humanistic way, though social workers often experience limitations in their roles and challenges from clients. Every learning opportunity in fieldwork placements is valuable! It is a chance to let us turn knowledge into practice and raise our motivation in learning. The fieldwork placements have really strengthened my will and broken through my limits as a part-time student when I had to attend to my full-time job, coursework, and fieldwork placements at the same time. I hope you can be determined to move forward towards your goal in MSW.
I gained much more than just professional social work training from the MSW programme in HKU. I met great teachers who concern not only knowledge but also my personal growth. They guided us through the journey of self-actualization and enabled me to practise professionally with up-to-date knowledge and with the use of self as an agent of change. I met great friends here and we accompanied each other in the process of self-discovery, which enabled us to get connected on a deep level. These teachers and classmates are all now my fighting partners in life who are always willing to provide me with unfailing support during times of difficulties.