Hala Askar, born in Alexandria Egypt, immigrated to the United States in 1986, at the age of 21. She is the Director of Catering Sales at Park City Club, Dallas, Texas. 

Hala obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Literature from Alexandria University, and completed my Masters in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Texas in Dallas. 

Hala has been living in the US for 38 years, but moving to the US was not her intention or goal growing up. 

However, it was fate that brought her to the US, to reunite with her high school sweetheart, who moved to the United States after graduation. They continued dating through snail mail and expensive international calls. After she finished college, they married, and she joined him in Amarillo, Texas.

The move from cosmopolitan Alexandria, Egypt, to a small city in the US was challenging for Hala. Gradual adjustment came through a supportive circle of friends, working and studying, and meeting many people who helped her shape her journey. This experience significantly contributed to her mental and social growth. “I have to say I grew up as a person mentally and socially here in the US.”

Reflecting on the differences between life in Egypt and the USA, she noticed the fast pace of life in the USA, with people constantly busy with work, meetings, social engagements, travel, charitable causes, and pets. In contrast, Egyptians have more time to enjoy the company of friends and family. 

Additionally, the numerous opportunities in the USA, which often depend on merit rather than connections. She also appreciates how people in the US respect each other’s time and are less likely to interfere in others’ affairs.

In the US, Hala maintains many aspects of the Egyptian culture. “Definitely the food! It has been the greatest tie to my culture. Music has also been another great nourishment for my nostalgia. Gathering with friends around Egyptian food and music has been the best thing next to being there.

Hala believes it’s important to maintain the Egyptian identity and heritage. “Thanks to social media, it is a bit easier now keeping in touch with family and friends. My son is very well read in Egyptian modern history and follows the news intently. My daughter loves the culture, music and food.”

Hala doesn’t watch much Egyptian television, but she enjoys cooking Egyptian food, “People swear by my Bamia and Roast Beef.” She celebrates Sham El Nessim and Ramadan, especially gathering around the fitar table with friends.

Hala has two kids: a 29-year- old son who is a practicing Lawyer in Virginia, and a daughter who is a Data Analyst in Dallas. “I have to admit I did not do a great job teaching them Arabic. Their father is not Egyptian, so the language spoken at home was English. They can understand some Arabic, but they do not speak it fluently.”

The greatest challenges she faced in raising her children, Hala explained that it was their mixed-race background. Their dark complexion, due to their Ethiopian father, made it difficult for them to identify as Arab, African American, or White American (since Egyptians are classified as white by the US census). Despite this, her children grew up forming their own identities, and faced no academic or social challenges.

When her kids were in elementary school, Hala sent them to spend their summers in Egypt with family every year. “They loved the sense of family. They were proud of our rich history. They were in awe of the beautiful beaches, the serene countryside, the bustling cities and the sense of having a lot of loving cousins, aunts and uncles.”

And after all these years in the US, whenever Hala sees the Egyptian flag or hears the anthem or music, she experiences goosebumps, particularly with the anthem, “it speaks of my identity and rekindles my nostalgia to the place I call home.”

Hala didn’t encounter any cultural or societal challenges as an Egyptian woman living in the USA; on the contrary, she was admired for her Egyptian heritage. Her experiences were always positive, with people often discussing the wonders of Egypt or about visiting Egypt and how they enjoyed it. “My only challenge has been getting people to pronounce my name correctly. Dallas has become such a metropolitan city, and I meet people from diverse backgrounds, so I feel as American as anyone else.”

Hala has many reasons to be proud. As an immigrant, she takes pride in raising two children with high moral standards and global awareness, considering them her greatest achievement. 

Additionally, she’s proud of being recognized as a strong woman in her industry, establishing long-lasting relationships with her clients, “and I am humbled when my clients tell me how many wonderful things they have heard about me.” 

She is also proud of how she balanced motherhood and career, “without sacrificing one or the other.”

As an Egyptian woman living in the USA, Hala faces stereotypes and misconceptions. People often express surprise at her language skills, unaware she learned English in school in Egypt.

There’s also a misconception of Egypt as primitive, with women depicted as subservient, influenced by media portrayals of desert and camels. Some assume veiled women are voiceless or oppressed. Hala finds hope in changing perceptions through media representation of successful veiled women and hopes her success challenges stereotypes about Egyptian American women.

“My profession has given me the privilege of working with so many different people, from all walks of life, beliefs and orientations. I have learned to let go of my own preconceived notions that I grew up in Egypt with. I learned how to treat people as human beings, regardless of who they are. That has been a great benefit from being here. I got out of my shell and was exposed to so many wonderful situations and people. I grew as a person beyond just excelling in my profession. I consider that my biggest gain.”

About how important it is for new immigrants to integrate into society, Hala emphasized the significance while cautioning against assimilation. She believes new immigrants can integrate by being involved in their community, supporting worthy causes, voting in all elections, being aware of political and social circumstances and speaking the language. But, during this process, they must never lose their identity or give up what makes them unique. “Get involved. Be aware. We [women] are an integral part of this country, and if we choose to live here, we have to make our presence valued. Women can get involved in their kids’ schools, the local church or mosque, the many charitable organizations, or even political campaigns. The most important is to get involved.”