Sherika Trim is an International student studying MA in Humanitarianism and Conflict Response. Sherika is from Saint Lucia, one of the beautiful islands in the Eastern Caribbean. She achieved the prestigious Chevening scholarship from the British government, a global scholarship that goes towards creating global leaders. Below she talks about her background and why she came to study at Manchester.

Sherika Trim

Before starting her MA, I completed a BSc in Social Work at Walden University, USA. Shortly afterwards, I then completed a master’s degree online whilst working in Saint Lucia.

I always wanted to be a social worker and help others, therefore it made sense to become a child protection social worker. Alongside working, I’ve also volunteered for UNCIEF on a programme called Return to Happiness, which focuses on offering psychosocial support to children, aged between 5-11 years old, whose lives are disrupted by hurricanes. Whilst volunteering, I helped children affected in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. My role involved implementing the programme and training people in the community who were affected, to allow them to continue to support the children who had been traumatised by the disaster.

I found out about HCRI through researching online and the department appeared different to anything else I had seen. There is a wide range of academic staff from all backgrounds, which really appealed to me.  It did take me a little while adapting to living in Manchester, but I’ve made quite a few friends, especially within my own programme. We have a really diverse group of students, with lots of international students, which has certainly helped me feel more at home.

Since being in Manchester I have been doing volunteering with Reach Out, a mentoring programme from younger members of our society, as well as with the ‘Hope Project’ with the Children Society. I am looking to further broaden my horizons and volunteering is a big part of that. After graduation, I intend to return home and help mental health victims post disasters. In the distant future, I would love to work for the UN.

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