Woman gives fellow Jordanians ‘comfortable start’ as they arrive in Cardiff

DEAD SEA — The long years Manar Alamat has spent away from Jordan have instilled in her a passion to help fellow Jordanians who arrive in Cardiff, Wales, especially young students.

The Jordanian expatriate, who works as a lecturer for the department of computing and maths at the University of South Wales, said welcoming new Jordanian students and giving them a hand in securing their initial needs has a good effect on their entire stay.

“Whenever a new student comes to our part of the country, I do my best to find them a good place to stay and give them advice on how to move around and where to buy what they need,” said Alamat, who participated in the Jordanian Expatriates Conference, held at the Dead Sea July 28-30.

She highlighted the “great” sense of solidarity among the Jordanian community in Wales, adding that some of them meet regularly at a place where they have mansaf, the Kingdom’s national dish, drink Arabic coffee and sing patriotic songs.

“We help each other and feel with each other,” she told The Jordan Times, adding that special occasions which Jordanians celebrate at home are also a reason for Jordanian expatriates to meet up and support each other.

The mother of three, who has been living in Wales for the past 15 years, said it is important for Jordanians to build and sustain strong networks with each other, adding that it is difficult for the embassy to follow up with Jordanians in various areas of the country.

“There is a need for several associations and committees of Jordanians to be spread out across Britain, to better serve citizens and build bridges of communication between them,” she said.

Her husband’s profession as a supervisor of PhD students at the same university, many of whom are Jordanians, has given her a chance to meet new students, who often come with their families.

“It is sometimes a challenge to find a suitable house for them and enrol the children in the education system,” she said. 

Although she visits Jordan annually, Alamat found the conference an important chance to become acquainted with developments in the country as well as an opportunity to share experiences that could improve the education system at the school and university levels.

“Expatriates are Jordan’s ambassadors abroad and have presented a promising example in moderation, skills and excellence,” she said. 

“Our hearts as expatriates are always with Jordan and we carry the responsibility of representing it across the globe.”