About
I was born and raised in Estonia, a little country in Northen Europe but spent three years of my childhood in Algeria, North Africa. After becoming Christian at 18 (like the majority of my generation in Estonia, I was raised atheist), my purpose in life changed dramatically from diplomacy to loving and serving others.
I love watching romantic comedies, horseback riding, traveling and learning about diverse cultures.
I love Estonia but I have also been blessed to visit all the Scandinavian countries, The Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, Lithunia, Russia, India, and Algeria. Last but not the least, my husband and I have a number of four-legged children who provide us our very own pet "therapy" every single day :-)
Education
God opened the doors for me to attend and complete a MSW degree at Andrews University, Michigan (which was a miracle story in itself), and the rest, like they say, is history.
Professional Recognition & Certifications
Glenn L. and Ruth A. Archer Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award (2024)
Recognition from the Council of Social Work Education for my service as the CSWE Site Visitor
Recognition from the Council of Social Work Education for my service as the CSWE Site Visitor (2023)
CSWE Site Visitor (Re)Certification (Term: July 1, 2023-June 30, 2026)
Online Experiential Learning Practitioner badge, Institute for Experiential Learning (2023)
Experiential Learning Certificate Level I, Institute for Experiential Learning (2021)
CSWE Site Vistor Certification (2021)
Faculty (Scholarly) Award, Pacific Union College (2020)
Faculty (Development) Award for Experiential Education, Pacific Union College (2020)
Faculty (Scholarly) Award, Pacific Union College (2019)
Mental Health First Aid for Adults Training Certificate (October 2016)
Junior Scholar conference participation award for research on social capital. Social Capital and Social Networks: Bridging Boundaries conference, Ohio State University (June 2005).
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Oidjarv, H. (2019). Helo Oidjärv: Lõpetas Tartu 10. Keskkooli 1991. aastal [Helo Oidjarv: Graduated from the Tartu Secondary School No. 10 in 1991]. In K. Antons & K. von der Toom-Guthan (Eds.), Aia tänavast Mississippini: Tartu Mart Reiniku Kooli 130 aastat [From Aia Street to Mississippi: The 130 years of the Tartu Mart Reinik’s School] (pp. 259-260). Põltsamaa, Estonia: Vali Press.
Oidjarv, H. (2018). The tale of two communities: Residents’ perception of the built environment and neighborhood social capital. SAGE Open, 8(2). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244018768386
Oidjarv, H. (2010). [Review of the book] Human behavior and the social environment: Models, metaphors and maps for applying theoretical perspectives in practice (2007). Belmont, CA: Thomson Higher Education. Journal of Community Practice, 18(1), 120-123. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705420903300819
Diaz, H. L., Drumm, R. D., Ramirez-Johnson, J., & Oidjarv, H. (2002). Social capital, economic development and food security in Peru's mountain region. International Social Work, 45(4), 481-495. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728020450040601
