Student Spotlight: Experiencing Social Work Abroad
Get to know MSW student Dayomi D. (SSW ’24)
Dayomi D. details how her academic career as a hospitality undergrad at BU and interactions with a social worker influenced her decision to pursue an MSW. Denoly also explains how her life-changing experience volunteering for a medical brigade in Nicaragua not only gave her a new perspective and motivation in entering the social work industry also gave her a newfound interest in finding social work opportunities abroad. Dayomi ends the interview by sharing her perspective on how incoming MSW students must be ready to undergo their own personal growth and benefit from a willingness to be open to change.
What are your interests outside of work and school?
I’m an introvert. I like to read and do a lot of small, intimate things with family. I’m a big learner and I like to learn a lot of languages; too many to count. I’m learning French, Portuguese, Mandarin, Korean, and Thai. I should probably stick to one, but I just find it so interesting to have conversations with people that you [normally] couldn’t because you didn’t know that language. I just like to learn, especially because I’m bilingual. My first language is Spanish. So, to me it’s always been important to learn about other people’s cultures and their languages so I can communicate better. I have an interest in traveling, so I assume that’s probably tied into it. I recently had the opportunity to go to Nicaragua to volunteer for a medical brigade with Professor Lopez. We’re hopefully going to Nairobi and Kakuma to implement a program we are creating for one of my classes. As I mentioned before, I like to travel. In the future I want to explore Thailand, Brazil, and Japan.
Why social work? What drew you to the field?
Okay, so my story is a little weird and funny. I did my undergrad at BU in hospitality, which has absolutely nothing to do with social work. When I was here, I met [someone], [who] I think was a social worker, but I’m not 100% sure. She was doing her master’s here, and she did an interview with me about one of her projects. One of her questions was, “What is it that I want to do?” I told her that I want to continue to help people, because I’ve had really great opportunities where organizations have helped me throughout my school year to be where I was at that point. So, I wanted to be either a therapist, a counselor, or something in that way, and she said, “Oh, why don’t you do that now as an undergrad?” I told her, “Because that’s not going to give me money, right? I can’t do it because I need something that’s also going to give me money for the time being, and then later on, I’ll do it.” But then the pandemic happened and I couldn’t pursue hospitality. I did have a job before I came here; it was a nonprofit helping high school students with their financial aid. But because we were in the pandemic, a lot of mental health stuff happened. We weren’t really prepared or trained for it, but we were doing the best we could. It gave me the idea that this is what I could be doing, so I didn’t want to waste more time. I had friends who had previously graduated from social work. I was like, “Okay, then I’m going to do it because this is what I like, and I enjoyed what I was doing at my nonprofit.” [After that,] I came here. I applied and they said yes.
What memory or experience stands out most in your academic career at BUSSW?
Because I did my undergrad here, I’m very used to the dynamic of BU. I’m lucky enough, though, that I’ve met really cool people. Some of my peers, [the] things they’re doing and what they’re interested in are [subjects] that I’ve never heard of or thought about. So, I like that. I like the diversity that there is here. I think for me, the professors that I’ve met have pushed me to go deep and learn about myself and how to help others. I’m kind of new to the study of social work because, [my] undergrad experience was something completely different. The self-reflection that we students do while studying social work isn’t like any other coursework I’ve done before. But we have to do it, because of the profession we’re all pursuing together, and that experience has been great and transformative. But overall, to me, I think going to Nicaragua has been one of the most life-changing for me.
What was you experience in Nicaragua like?
Coming from the Dominican Republic, you see people who have less, right? It’s somewhat similar, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, in some ways. There are people who have less, people who have more, the dynamic of that, how close they are and just the way of thinking there. It’s somewhat the same. But it was so life-changing because it humbles you. They are so happy and they do so much with what little they have. They don’t complain, right? I was there for a whole week and a couple days, and they weren’t complaining. It’s like, no, this is what it is. This is what we have. We have to walk four hours to get here to see you guys and that’s normal. And I’m like, “what?” When would I be walking four hours for something here [in the USA], right? And they’re so happy and grateful for the things that they do have. So, it kind of makes you question, “Hey, what do you have? What are you complaining about? Right? What is it that’s really important, and what’s not really important? Also, as a Latina, “This could have been me. I could be doing more.” It puts things in perspective. In Spanish, we call it, ‘We put wood to the fire.’ Like, it kind of fires you up. “Oh, I could do more. I could help more. What else can I [do to] be involved in my community, but also in other countries as well.”
What makes social work worthwhile to you?
I was going through a rough time and I had a therapist. She helped me out so much. Then, [when] looking at my own community, I was like, “Something’s off here, right? We don’t talk about [therapy].” We don’t really put up much emphasis on something that is important in my community, such as seeing a therapist. I mean, it’s changing but it’s not common. There is a big stigma. The best way I can put it is, “You go to a doctor, because you’re in pain, or something’s wrong with your body, right? Same thing, [regarding] going to a therapist. You’re just trying to figure out what’s going on and how to process something that you can’t see right now.” Going to BU was just like, “okay, I want to do this. There’s not a lot of therapists who speak Spanish. How can I help?” I like doing this, and it’s just the best option for me to tackle the problem that I saw [regarding a lack of] Spanish-speaking therapists.
What are your favorite courses, professors, and events at BUSSW?
That’s a hard question. I’ve learned something from each and every one of [my professors]. I’m grateful for that. So, it’s hard for me; they’re all my favorites. I will make it known [now] that this is not in any order, no preference over one person.
Rick Cresta. Oh my God, I loved him. I’m gonna recommend him to everyone and everyone. I just love the way he teaches. He makes you really think about the ethical things that you forget about. The way he teaches is amazing.
Dawn Belkin Martinez. She’s good, oh my God. So good.
Kim Hopkins. She teaches research II right now. She’s amazing. She’s one of those professors who sees you as a human being and always asks you, “Hey, this is what’s happening,” and is very understanding of your situation. It almost feels like a therapy session with her. She just has that warmth of, “I’m here for you.” She’s a person first. That’s so important at times, because we’re going through so much.
Taylor Hall, she’s amazing too. She teaches substance use and the way she teaches, it’s just really good. It’s hard to explain. But honestly, I feel like I’ve been lucky. I’ve had some really great professors who have really challenged the way I thought and have really made me think deeper about some of the things that maybe I need to rethink. Which is important as social workers. We’re going to work with different people who have different values. We need to just make sure we’re not projecting our own [values] onto them, respecting them, and be able to see their point of view. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with them. Being able to have that understanding [and being] in their shoes for just a little bit to [consider], “Oh, okay. I see where you’re coming from. That’s important.
Are you looking forward to anything after you graduate? If so, what? What fields are you interested in working in?
I want to be in a clinical setting for a couple of years, because I feel I’ve had a really great experience right now in my internship. The way they have taught all the modules, all the things that I’m doing, and all the cases that I’m seeing have really opened my eyes. I want to continue that, and really hone in. I also want to open a foundation in the Dominican Republic, but maybe in other places, as well. Not only [with] medical care, but also mental health awareness and how to tackle that. I [also] want it to be free [of charge] because [fee-free care] is not something that’s done, especially back home. How will that happen? We’ll see.
What is your dream job in the field of social work?
It’s weird because I would open [a foundation] and I would help run it, but I don’t think I would want to stay there. I think I want to teach people; social workers and psychologists who are there to do the work. I feel like they already have it. I don’t think I will stay there and do it. I can’t be stuck in one place. I think I will start there, but I definitely have to move around and do some other things at other places, as well.
What is your advice for other MSW students?
I would say if you’re incoming, start working on yourself. That sounds weird to say but start questioning everything you think about your own values. Start doing that because that’s going to be challenged a lot here. That’s not a bad thing. It just means there’s going to be a lot of growth and prepare for that growth. That means there might be a lot of changes, but you must go through that because if you stay stagnant, in my opinion, you’re doing a disservice not only to yourself, but to your patients. Because this is a time when you need to have growth and change in yourself. Surround yourself with a group of people that you feel comfortable with to go through that process because they are here; look for them. I think just be prepared or even start the process for that growth that’s going to happen.