If you look at the beginning of Dr. Sherrá  Watkins’ story, it was unlikely she would be an expat. She and her twin sister were born to a teenage single mother who struggled hard to provide for her children.  However, Sherrá   and her sister were also surrounded by a large extended family that gave them a close knit community.  This is important because it was her family that would reinforce the dreams of going beyond what  she had as a kid and a teenager. 

Determination, undoubtedly,  is most certainly a running theme in her life.  Ultimately, both she and her twin would earn Ph.Ds.   A psychotherapist by profession, it shouldn’t be surprising that mental wellness is a frequent discussion point in this episode. 

Sherrá  is currently Director of Wellness and Counseling at the American University of the Caribbean in Sint Maarten, otherwise known as the Netherland Antilles. In this role, she oversees wellness counseling services for medical students and their families and provides oversight, leadership, and supervision to the wellness counselors. 

A role she obtained and relocated for — during the pandemic.  

As you might imagine, most of her educational community is made up of expats — students and faculty that have come from  across the world to either further their education or career.  In addition to sharing her own story,  Sherrá  provides  insight on how to adjust to some of the common challenges international students face including homesickness,  anxiety and loneliness. 

Sherrá’s story starts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina but you will hear the twists and turns that have led her to the life  she and her family are building in Sint Maarten.