The Impact on Our Lives Has Been a Real Eye-opener
Angela from Essex describes how hosting Aisha, a university student from Oman, on a HOST UK weekend in 2015 led to her recent trip through sandstone and limestone mountains, beautiful beaches with tiny coves, little fishing villages and tiny desert homes to visit Aisha’s family farm. Calvin Hewitt, EIL’s Volunteers Manager, interviewed Angela to find out how they have sustained their wonderful friendship that has deepened over the years and bridged a distance of more than 4000 miles.
Could you tell us a bit about your background?
Angela: Well, I travelled quite extensively during my career as an haute couture model and choral singer. I have always enjoyed experiencing other cultures and my then husband’s work took us to Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. I have also worked in America and when I started a medical charity, I went on fact finding missions to China, Cambodia, Laos and spent three months in Australia and New Zealand for my own research purposes. Since moving to Essex, I have been involved in local politics. I was a local council chair during the Covid pandemic and was then invited to become town mayor until 2022.
When did you first find out about the HOST UK programme?
Angela: I found HOST UK through a local swimming club in 2011. Four women were chatting, and one was Kerry Bloom, the HOST Regional Organiser for Essex. Kerry told me about the stall that she took to student Freshers Week advertising the weekend stay. I thought it was a great idea so I signed up. My first home was a large bungalow and over three years wonderful young people came for an English weekend. My next home also provided plenty of space and was just off the high street. Thus, the guests could enjoy their own wander into shops and cafes as well as my guided tours!
And when did you first meet Aisha?
Angela: It was 2015 when she came over to stay with me on a HOST UK weekend visit. She was studying Environmental Politics at Imperial College – all the way up to doctorate level. Since education is free for Omani citizens, she got a scholarship to study in London, all paid for. When not at university, instead of returning to Oman, Aisha used her academic holidays to see more of the UK and Europe. After completing her studies, she worked in London, Riyad, Washington, New York and Singapore and since December 2024 she has been working in Muscat in a government ministry. I think she has been an absolute example of womanly strength and perseverance, following through from when she was a student and first came to visit me to the present day.
Between that first visit in 2015 and your latest trip, how often did you stay in contact with Aisha?
Angela: We’ve always kept in touch through WhatsApp and we probably met once or twice a year. In 2023 a friend of mine, who was very active in the City, had an invitation to a dinner at one of the Livery Companies. Aisha was staying with me at the time, so I asked her to accompany me to the event. I bought her an evening dress and it was the first black sequinned dress she had ever owned. Last summer she had been asked to give a presentation at Cambridge University and another in London, so I was the obvious person to stay with! I have a little flat in London, so Aisha had the sofa bed in the sitting room and then she went off to Cambridge for four or five days.
We have now developed a great aunt / niece relationship
with many delightful trips and outings
Have you met up with Aisha out of the UK as well?
Angela: Last year I saw an advertisement for a cruise that started with three days in Singapore, so before I booked it, I checked that Aisha would still be working there. When I arrived, I was so worn out by the travel and she immediately asked what I wanted to do on the following evening. She then told me it would be the United Arab Emirates national day, and she would be attending a celebration at the university and would I like to accompany her. So, we went, and it was just wonderful.
Can you tell us more about your recent trip to Oman?
Angela: Well, I flew first to visit some friends in Saudi Arabia, and I had six very interesting days there. I then flew from Jeddah to Muscat, the capital of Oman. I was met at the airport by Aisha, and we took a taxi back to the flat she shares with her younger brother. In her home country, as you can see in the photographs, Aisha wears more traditional clothing of an abaya and a headscarf. Even in the family home all the women wear similar clothing.
Can you tell us more about the visit to Aisha’s family home?
Angela: Aisha’s family were originally Bedouins but, for a long time, they have been settled on a farm about 200km north of Muscat. In fact, they have recently built a new house in the same location. They grow mangoes, apples and dates. They also have goats, sheep and chickens and have recently taken delivery of a small herd of Friesian cows from Holland. The whole farm is fed by an underwater stream that they have tapped into. It’s really amazing what the parents have done for the children and the whole family have been educated in the free Omani education system.
How did you find the Omani hospitality, particularly mealtimes?
Angela: Firstly, men and women would eat separately, and all the food is served on the floor. New matts are put out and a vast platter is placed in the middle of the floor. This is filled with rice, chicken, lamb, peppers, onions, root vegetables and whole red potatoes. So, the food is very basic but very nutritious and there is plenty of it. This is normally followed by fresh fruits such as watermelon, grapefruit, oranges, apples, dates etc. I have to admit that, as an 83-year-old, I have not sat cross-legged on the floor since I was at school, so I sat on a raised bench using a cushion!
What were your impressions of Oman in terms of geography or culture? Did you get to see other parts of the country?
Angela: Yes, on the journey to the farm I saw a wide variety of landscapes from sandstone and limestone mountains, beautiful beaches with tiny coves, little fishing villages and tiny desert homes. On the last day of my visit Aisha and I visited the south of the country and travelled across the desert. Of course, Muscat itself is now an international city and is so brightly lit it’s like a real-life Disneyland and the shopping malls have the most incredible selection of shops with luxury goods. Muscat is rapidly developing with new flats, and the city is so clean with no litter or rubbish anywhere and so much greenery and trees.
What do you think hosting international students has given you?
Angela: I have hugely enjoyed being a host to so many young people. Over ten years I happily entertained 45 youngsters, and my list includes students from India, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, America, Canada, Oman, Japan, China, Malaysia, Russia and Ukraine amongst others now forgotten. The experience has been truly wonderful. I’ve been lucky to be the ‘Foreign Mummy’ to lots of students whose parents couldn’t get over here for graduations and special occasions. I have enjoyed their company, and they have been thankful for the times we’ve shared. The impact on their lives and on my life has been a real eye-opener as to how the other half lives. Hosting is a marvellous adjunct to so many lives and I have enjoyed all the clever young people who have wanted to observe and learn about Englishness!
