USF Global Spotlight
Manisha Joshi
Dr. Manisha Joshi, Associate Professor
October 2, 2018
Dr. Manisha Joshi is an Associate Professor with the School of Social Work in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. In collaboration with Dr. Carrion, she launched a 6-credit study abroad program to India in 2014, the first program of its kind for the School of Social Work. They also offered the program in the summer of 2016 and 2018, and are now recruiting for Summer 2019. “Students report that they have gained a lot professionally and personally, particularly the importance of keeping in mind the diverse socio-cultural contexts in which their clients are situated," Dr. Joshi remarks. "They have started focusing a lot on becoming self-aware of their own biases/perceptions and becoming culturally competent in their interactions with their colleagues and with clients in their internship agencies.â€
A particular highlight of students’ experience in the 2016 program was the unexpected gift and honor of meeting and interacting with Mr. Kanubhai Ramdas Gandhi - grandson of Mahatma Gandhi - a new resident of the old age home that students visited in New Delhi. The success of the India Study Abroad program sparked discussions to develop a study abroad program to Spain that could be offered to students in the years when the students do not go to India. Therefore, in collaboration with Dr. Carrion, Dr. Joshi developed and co-led a trip that enabled 17 students to travel to Alicante and Barcelona for the first 6-credit study abroad program to Spain in summer 2017.