السنة 18 العدد 168
2023/06/01

 

Oman: The Homely Abode for Many

 

 

 

Rawan Al Nadabi

Oman has been known for its geographical beauty regionally, but it may never be a global destination for so many people's evictions because Oman has been marketing the country's beauty by exploring it. Many people live in Oman for reasons other than its natural beauty.

 In this issue, Isharaqah is interviewingVicki Premo, Foundation Institute Instructor, Canadian of Italian descent, who has been teaching English since 2003 in different countries.    

Ms Premo's teaching career began in 2003 in Abu Dhabi. She described her stay in Abu Dhabi as "not as expected." For her, Abu Dhabi was more about experts than engaging with people from the same country, so she stayed for a year before moving on to her next destination, China. China as a country and culture were diametrically opposed to the culture in which she grew up. China was no exception in the duration of the stay.

Japan is the third destination of the teaching journey. Japan as a destination is an eye-opening experience, explaining to Ishraqah, she said “I had certain ideas about how Japanese culture was and found often that things were very different below the surface than what they appeared to be” highlighting the Japanese community, she said “people in Japan were welcoming and I got to experience culture and traditions”  

However, because the Japanese people were preserving, one could only see the surface of their culture and traditions.   She lived in Tokyo, the capital city. The capital city was very expensive, and people had to work two jobs to make ends meet. Tokyo was not Ms Premo's home as life was fast-paced.

In 2006, Ms. Permo arrived in her second home thanks to Christine Fernades, a friend who suggested she teach in Oman.

Ms Permo arrived in Oman with an open mind, no expectations, and the knowledge that Oman is nothing like the UAE. She began working as an English instructor at the University of Nizwa's foundation institute. There are some differences that she witnessed in comparison to the Japanese lifestyle, it took her six months to adapt to the slower pace of life. 

Omanis, whether students or regular people are very welcoming. She describes the Omani welcoming style as "Omani students were very open, asked a lot of questions, and were eager to show their culture and traditions. She said " I had students who brought me camel's milk, shuwa, and other foods. I even had students who taught me how to apply Henna."

She came with an approximate stay of one year or two mindsets, but she stayed for now 19 years so far, highlighting that to Ishraqah, she said “I feel like Oman is home. I think that it is because the culture is similar to the one I grew up in” 

She came with the intention of staying for a year or two, but she has now been here for 19 years, stating to Ishraqah, "I feel like Oman is home. I believe it is because the culture is similar to the one in which I grew up."

What made Oman more appealing to her was the idea of being able to develop while still maintaining the same culture and tradition.  Furthermore, there are numerous outdoor activities and destinations to visit and explore.

When Ms Vicki Premo said, "I often feel that Oman chose me," she was echoing the sentiments of many others who visited Oman and stayed longer than expected. 

 

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