AOS Internship Programme Testimonial, By Amy Whight

Internship Overview (July 2016 – January 2017)

My internship at the British Omani Society did not have a conventional start at the Sackville Street office. Instead, it began with a 5-day stay at Cambridge University’s Corpus Christi College for the New Generation Group Delegation. As well as contributing to the smooth running of the event, I listened to talks given by some of the UK’s most senior public and private experts on communication to discuss The Importance of Communication in Oman’s Diversifying Economy. This created fascinating discussions between both British and Omani delegates, which was a great opportunity for me to understand some of the cultural and economic attitudes in Oman. It also allowed me to practice speaking Arabic. Right from the outset, I knew that working for the AOS would be hugely rewarding.

No two days were the same whilst working at The British Omani Society. My daily tasks in the office could vary from updating the AOS website and social media pages or contributing to the design and information featured in the Annual Review and the NGG delegation brochure, to planning and photographing upcoming society events and activities such as the Annual Lunch held at the Army and Navy Club. Diverse internal events offered me the opportunity to take on different roles, such as managing November’s lecture with guest speaker Ross Mahoney from the Royal Air Force Museum, interviewing Acting Director of The National Museum of Oman, Mr Jamal Al Moosawi, and conducting an interview with Chelsea Pensioner John Carbis for the AOS Oral History Project. I really valued the advice provided by AOS member Debbie Martin, who gave me professional insight on how to record future oral history projects and how to editing the film in a sensitive manner afterwards.

I am told that the AOS has never been busier as there were also a number of external events to assist with. At the Royal Geographical Society, I ran a stall with AOS literature at the lecture ‘Arabian Leopards and Aflaj Hydroponic’ and liaised the loan of an antique khanjar from the AOS for the RGS exhibition ‘Crossing the Empty Quarter’. Furthermore, I coordinated the loan of other Omani artefacts with Omani students at Reading University for their Omani National Day celebrations.

To end the internship, I spent a week gathering research in Muscat for a report reflecting on sustainable development and the role that renewable energy plays in contemporary Oman. I met with experts from academic, governmental and private sectors who were all very generous with their time, knowledge and support – one meeting would often lead to meeting several new contacts and everyone was so welcoming. I was invited to family dinners, a camping excursion, a performance at the Royal Opera House and tours around Muscat, so there was never a dull moment. Travelling to Muscat also allowed me to reconnect with some of the Omani NGG delegates that I had met at the beginning of my internship and other contacts, allowing me to form lasting friendships in Oman.

Apart from the trip to Oman, the highlight of the internship was being invited to celebrate 46th National Day with the Omani Embassy at the Jumeirah Hotel, where everyone shared stories about their time spent in Oman, and I also met Ali Al Habsi, Goalkeeper for Reading Football Club!