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Locations: Lisbon, Portugal
Program Terms: Summer
Program Homepage: Click to visit
Program Sponsor: Ramapo College of New Jersey

Dates / Deadlines:

Dates / Deadlines:
Term	Year	App Deadline	Decision Date	Start Date	End Date
Summer	2026	12/15/2025	01/01/2026	05/30/2026	06/06/2026

Fact Sheet:

Fact Sheet:
Discipline of Study:	Social Work	Language of Instruction:	English
Housing Options:	Hotel	Minimum GPA:	3.0
Class Status:	4th year (Senior), 5th year and beyond (Super Senior), Graduate student, Ramapo Alumni	Program Type:	Study

Program Description:

Roukema Center for International Education
Office of International Programs

Global Clinical Social Work in Portugal:
From Policy to Practice to Address Substance Use Disorders

[OVERVIEW]

Term: Late May-Early June, 1 week
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Credits: 3 (graduate)
Eligibility:
- Graduate Students: Enrollment in a MSW Program is required
- Undergraduate Students: Enrolled in the Substance Use Disorder minor or the BSW degree program is required; preference given to upper-class students.
- All Ramapo College students in good academic and judicial standing are eligible.
- Students of other U.S. colleges or universities are also eligible.
Course Credit
- Graduate Students: Earn 3 MSW credits towards your degree requirements
- Undergraduate Students: Earn 3 credits that can be used as an undergraduate social work elective; can also be used as 3 MSW credits if future enrolled in Ramapo's MSW program

[Course Overview]

Objectives/Course Goals

This course will examine policies relevant to those with substance use disorders from an international perspective. It will require students to think critically and question everything they may know about substance use. This course will take place in Lisbon, Portugal engaging with multiple presenters and site visits to learn about the Portuguese approach to addressing drug use. Students will meet with a parliament member active in passing decriminalization legislation, researchers from the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA) treatment providers of low-threshold services, outreach street teams, and law enforcement officials. The experience includes trips to the Portuguese parliament, an Overdose Prevention Site, and the EUDA as well as a cultural excursion to Cascais.

Course Description (MSWK 590)

This experience offers students a trans-disciplinary approach to ‘Substance Use Disorders’ in the context of the Portuguese policy of decriminalization of all drugs. Through lectures and field visits, students gain a view of substance use as a multifaceted, intertwined dynamic process that spans the expertise of social work, public health, law enforcement, medical, and political systems. Lectures by those engaged in the decriminalized system include outreach street teams, Member of Parliament, and a police officer. Trips include an overdose prevention site, the mobile Methadone van, the Portuguese Parliament, and the European Union Drugs Agency as well as a cultural excursion. During the trip students will have to keep a journal, which will inform their reflections for the final course assignment. The final assignment is an individualized project collaboratively designed by the student with the support of the faculty member leading the program.

[Accommodations]

Students will reside in hotels throughout the program in a double occupancy layout.

[Cost]

Program cost: TBD
Program cost includes: Tuition fees for 3 credits; program reading materials; pre-departure and on-site orientation; comprehensive health & security insurance; accommodations; some meals; excursions and entrance fees; in-country program transportation.
Program cost does not include: Airfare; US airport transfers; some meals; personal expenses and immunization costs.

Payment Timeline
Application Deadline	Feb. 1
Commitment & $500 Deposit (non-refundable)	Feb. 15
Payment #1: TBD	Mar. 1
Payment #2: TBD	Apr. 1
Payment #3: TBD	May 1

Late Fees : A late fee of $35 will be assessed for each payment not received by the payment deadlines communicated to you by the International Programs Office.
Note : There will be a 3-day grace period before a late fee is assessed.

[SCHOLARSHIPS]

Scholarships are available for eligible applicants: http://www.ramapo.edu/study-abroad/scholarships/

[FACULTY]

Professor Stephanie Sarabia
ssarabia@ramapo.edu

Program delivered in collaboration with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

[FOR FURTHER INFORMATION]

The Roukema Center for International Education
Ramapo College of New Jersey
505 Ramapo Valley Road - ASB123, Mahwah, NJ 07430 USA
Telephone: (201) 684-7533
E-mail: goabroad@ramapo.edu