NBCC Institutes Offer Multicultural Service-Learning Opportunities

As part of our ongoing global capacity building efforts, NBCC Institutes provide students, counselors, and other mental health professionals with an opportunity for extraordinary travel experiences to participate in workshops; presentations; conferences; and other service-learning, multicultural engagement. 

During these 8- to 10-day institutes in communities in the United States or abroad, participants are introduced to the local culture, organizations, and mental health leaders to help them gain a better understanding of the strengths and challenges of the local culture and providing mental health care in these locales. They also form new relationships and earn continuing education credit for taking part. 

Since the Institute program began, 135 counselors and other professionals have traveled to seven locations and participated in cultural immersion experiences, the Mental Health Facilitator (MHF) program, presentations at local conferences, and teaching local students. In addition, some institute participants have been inspired to go back to the institute country later to volunteer, have published research, and have presented locally and nationally about their experiences. 

“We have received consistent feedback, both formally through surveys and informally through conversations among institute participants and staff, that these experiences have a dramatic impact on the participants and that the counselors who take part believe that the experiences help them to become more multiculturally competent for their clients and students,” says Dr. Wendi Schweiger-Moore, Director of Global Capacity Building. 

In the past, NBCC has collaborated with Old Dominion University and the University of Holy Cross to organize institutes, and Dr. Ted Remley lent his considerable expertise to NBCC in the early days of NBCC’s Institutes program. Since then, the program continues to expand through new partnerships.

Recently, NBCC has expanded the program toward building relationships with universities and organizations to develop meaningful international experiences for students, faculty, and others. NBCC can provide assistance by introducing potential institute hosting partners, collaborating on itinerary development, and providing marketing support and joint branding, among other efforts. Based on the needs of the counselor education program or association, NBCC can provide as much or as little assistance or expertise as needed. 

Isabel Gomez, NBCC’s Vice President of its Foundation and Professional Services Division, encourages anyone interested to explore these opportunities for engagement. 

“Don’t miss the incredible opportunity to travel, learn, and grow alongside communities across the world through NBCC’s institutes. Experience firsthand the resilience and strength in diverse mental health practices, make lasting connections, and come away with a renewed purpose in your work. This journey promises to enrich both your life and your career.” 

Learn more about upcoming NBCC Institutes as they are scheduled on our website or reach out to NBCC’s Global Capacity Building department at global@nbcc.org.