Undertaking professional practice is a crucial part of the educational process as it allows students to gain practical experience in their field of study and apply theoretical knowledge in a real work environment. During the internship, students face real challenges, develop their skills, and prepare for the professional world. This report will present the experiences of the students from the Department of Social Work at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Sarajevo – Lejla Kazić, Ajla Bibuljica, and Elma Moco who completed their internship at the NARKO-NE Association, totaling 80 hours, from November 19th to December 17th, 2024. Throughout all activities and tasks, they worked closely with their mentor, Azra Halilović, who introduced the students to the association’s activities and involved them in the programs and initiatives being implemented.
Social work is a profession that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and empowerment of individuals. Through all its programs, the NARKO-NE Association strives to work on strengthening personality and developing competencies in individuals.
The students had the opportunity to participate in professional and educational events and research presentations organized by the Association, and also gained experience through various tasks they performed, such as database creation, developing workshops for youth, generating ideas for preventive campaigns, entering data for program evaluations, procuring materials, etc. All these activities provided the students with insight into the broad scope of social work as a profession and what the work of a social worker in the NGO sector can encompass.
As they themselves pointed out, their expectations were fulfilled: they worked in a cheerful and dynamic environment, gained new, relevant knowledge that they will be able to use in their further education and work, attended events related to research, experienced good communication and understanding, and shared experiences.
The NARKO-NE Association implements preventive programs aimed at the general population, meaning it does not intervene with individuals who are addicted. Therefore, the students’ expectations of working directly with clients and their problems, specifically individuals who are victims of addiction, were not fulfilled.
Including the full range of activities they performed, this period has prepared the students for the next step in their careers, and the experiences and skills they have gained will serve as a foundation for their future professional development. Through their practice, they understood the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new conditions, as well as the various situations and challenges that their future jobs will bring.
We look forward to welcoming new students and believe they will have the opportunity to explore new horizons and create their own work experiences.
Ajsela Kučinar
