Cheryl-Ann Weekes shares her life as a wanderer, how she visited 40+ countries in her 12 years abroad, and how she has cultivated longevity abroad.

Meet Cheryl-Ann

Cheryl-Ann Weekes, M.Ed. was born in Barbados and immigrated to Boston at the age of 11.

She is proud of her Bajan heritage and loves Caribbean food, rum punch, and black cake. Cheryl-Ann's favorite things are chocolate, coconut, and mango ice cream, the beach, traveling, listening to music, especially soca, and reading. Cheryl-Ann has been a Counselor working with the teen population since 1997. She is an expert in social-emotional Counseling, Mental Health, and University Counseling. Cheryl-Ann has worked in Boston as a School-based Psychotherapist and an Upward Bound Director; in DC as a University Academic Counselor and College Advisor and as a School Counselor in DC public schools and globally. Her purpose is to support and encourage young people with compassion, and to allow them to express their emotions and opinions in a safe space.

Cheryl-Ann began working internationally in 2010 and has lived in many countries. She has worked at Cap Cana Heritage School in the Dominican Republic, the American International School of Kingston in Jamaica, the International Community School of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Bangkok Patana School in Thailand, the American International School in Egypt, and the International Community School of Abidjan in the Ivory Coast. What she loves most about her work is the opportunity to have individual conversations with her students about coping strategies for dealing with stress, anxiety, and organization. Living abroad has given her more insight into the cultures of the world and the beauty of travel. She loves to travel, and has been to 42 countries; visiting 30 of them as a solo traveler. Her favorite countries are France, Ghana, South Africa, Zanzibar, Seychelles and the Maldives.

Cheryl-Ann is passionate about the need to normalize going to therapy and discussing mental health with her students, parents, and community. She is committed to having consent conversations with her students as a way to educate them about what it means to give and ask for consent and respect the boundaries set by others. She uses positive self-talk and quotes from her favorite authors to teach resilience to her students. Some of Cheryl-Ann's favorite authors are Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin.

Connect with Cheryl-Ann

https://weekesenterprise.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bajanexpatschoolcounselor/
https://twitter.com/bajanweekes
https://www.facebook.com/cr.week

What resources (books, blogs, services, apps) did you utilize to help you go abroad & thrive abroad?

As a School Counselor, I chose to follow that path to move abroad. I looked for jobs in international schools because they provide free housing and no taxes as part of their package. I can't remember which site I used to get my first job but some of the organizations I have used for recruitment are International Schools Services, TIE Online, Teacher Horizons, and AMISA. Once abroad I joined two Facebook groups: Brothas and Sistas Working at International Schools and Association of International Educators and Leaders of Color as part of a community to connect, fellowship, and learn from their experiences. I have met some of my best friends and biggest supporters through my involvement in these groups. I follow a couple of mental health groups and therapists: Melanin & Mental Health, Nedra Tawwab, and Therapy for Black Girls to help inspire me when I feel overwhelmed and disillusioned. I have a blog where I write about my expat experiences and travel journey (https://wordpress.com/view/bajanexpatschoolcounselor.com)

What is the motto (affirmation, prayer, poem, song lyrics, etc.) that you live by?

“You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” Maya Angelou

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