Work
During my IAESTE internship in Muscat, Oman, I had the opportunity to work as an Architecture Intern at the National Engineering Office (NEO), a multidisciplinary Omani engineering consultancy. The experience allowed me to move beyond the academic environment and become part of a professional team working on real projects and real client requirements. My work covered different stages of architectural design, from developing plans and elevations to studying functions, areas, circulation, and user needs. I worked on several projects, including a commercial development in Bellah, where I contributed to site analysis, functional distribution, parking and pedestrian circulation, drive-through and retail requirements, architectural plans, 3D modeling, and visualizations. I also worked on the Sadeer Retail Corner project, developing elevations and detailed 3D models for different retail and entertainment buildings, including spaces related to cinemas, cafés, and restaurants. Another major part of my internship was developing a luxury residential villa, where I worked from the client’s brief to furnished floor plans, 3D modeling in Revit, exterior development, architectural visualizations, and preparing the design for a client presentation. One of the most valuable aspects of my internship was being exposed to disciplines beyond architecture. I spent time learning about Quantity Surveying, Structural Engineering, Fire Safety, Materials, and HSE. I learned how design decisions can affect project cost, how architectural ideas are translated into structural systems, how fire-safety requirements and codes influence building design, and how materials are selected according to their properties and application. Through site visits to projects such as Sultan Haitham City and Yiti Sustainable City, I was also able to see how drawings and designs are transformed into actual construction, and to understand the challenges and coordination required on site. The internship had a significant impact on me as an architecture student. It changed the way I look at a building: not simply as a design, but as the result of coordination between architecture, structure, safety, materials, cost, construction, and the people who will ultimately use it. I became more confident in my technical and design skills, particularly in Revit, 3D modeling, visualization, and architectural presentation. More importantly, I learned to think beyond the drawing itself—to consider the climate, culture, users, regulations, construction process, and practical realities behind every design decision. Working on real projects and receiving feedback from experienced architects and clients made me understand the responsibility that comes with being an architect. I returned from my internship with a broader understanding of the profession, stronger practical skills, and a clearer idea of the kind of architect I want to become.
Experience
My experience in Muscat was much more than an internship. It became a daily journey of discovering a new country, meeting people from around the world, and experiencing a culture that was completely different from my own. My accommodation was provided by Sultan Qaboos University, which became more than just a place to stay. It was where I spent much of my time with other IAESTE interns. I met students and young professionals from different countries and academic backgrounds, including people from Poland, the Czech Republic, India, Thailand, and many other places. Although we came from different cultures, universities, and majors, we quickly became a close group. We would spend our free time together, plan our weekends, share meals, and constantly look for new places to explore. One of my favorite parts of the experience was how often we organized trips around Oman. We rarely wanted to spend a weekend doing nothing, so there was always a new adventure being planned. We went hiking in beautiful places such as Wadi Shab, Sidab, and Al Jabal Al Akhdar, where the landscape was completely different from anything I was used to seeing back home. We also went camping, explored the mountains and valleys, and spent time by the sea. One of the most exciting experiences was snorkeling in Bandar Al Khairan, where we got to experience another side of Oman’s natural beauty. We also went cycling in Al Seeb, explored the traditional markets and streets of Mutrah, and visited Nizwa, where we enjoyed shopping and discovering the city. Traveling through Oman also gave me the opportunity to experience different sides of the country. I explored Muscat in detail, visited Nizwa and Al Jabal Al Akhdar, and traveled all the way to Salalah during the Khareef season. Seeing Salalah transform into a green landscape during the monsoon was one of the most memorable moments of my trip. Everywhere I went, I found myself looking not only at the scenery, but also at the architecture. As an architecture student, I naturally started noticing the buildings, materials, colors, traditional elements, courtyards, arches, and the way architecture responds to Oman’s climate, culture, and lifestyle. I also visited museums and cultural landmarks that helped me understand Oman beyond what I could see on the streets. Visiting the museum near Al Alam Palace and Oman Across the Ages Museum gave me a deeper appreciation of the country’s history, heritage, and identity. These experiences made me realize how strongly culture and history influence architecture and the way people build and live. Food was another part of discovering Oman. I had the chance to try many traditional dishes, especially the different Omani rice dishes, as well as mishkak, the famous grilled meat skewers, and Omani halwa. Sharing food with friends from different countries became its own kind of cultural exchange. We would talk about our favorite dishes from home, compare traditions, and introduce each other to foods we had never tried before. One of the most meaningful experiences was the Cultural Day, where we had the opportunity to introduce our countries and universities. I presented Palestine and An-Najah National University in front of professors from Sultan Qaboos University and deans of different colleges. It was a special moment for me because I was able to share my culture, my university, and a part of where I come from with people from completely different backgrounds. At the same time, listening to everyone else talk about their countries made me feel that I was traveling the world without leaving Oman. Looking back, what made the experience truly special was the combination of all these small moments: coming back from work and meeting friends, planning a spontaneous weekend trip, hiking through a valley, camping under the stars, trying new food, getting lost in a traditional market, swimming and snorkeling, cycling along the coast, or simply sitting together and talking about our lives and cultures. IAESTE gave me the chance to experience Oman not just as a visitor, but as someone who lived there for a while. I arrived in Muscat expecting an internship, but I left with friendships from different corners of the world, countless memories, a deeper appreciation for Omani culture and nature, and a much broader perspective on life. It was a chapter filled with work during the week and adventures whenever we had the chance, and that balance is what made my IAESTE experience unforgettable.
Discover
My IAESTE internship taught me much more about myself than I expected. Before going to Oman, I saw the internship mainly as an opportunity to gain professional experience and improve my architectural skills. But living and working in a new country made me discover new sides of myself, both personally and professionally. One of the biggest things I learned was that I am more adaptable and independent than I thought. Moving to a new country, working in an unfamiliar professional environment, meeting people from different cultures, and adjusting to a different daily routine pushed me outside my comfort zone. At first, many things felt new and unfamiliar, but gradually I learned to communicate confidently, ask questions, take initiative, and become comfortable in situations I had never experienced before. The internship also changed the way I see my studies. At university, we often focus on the design itself—plans, sections, elevations, concepts, and presentations. At NEO, I realized that architecture is much bigger than the drawing. A successful building depends on structure, fire safety, materials, cost, construction, regulations, climate, culture, and, most importantly, the people who will use it. Seeing projects develop from drawings into construction helped me understand why the things I study at university matter in real life. It also made me appreciate the importance of learning from other disciplines. My exposure to Quantity Surveying, Structural Engineering, Fire Safety, Materials, and HSE showed me that an architect cannot work in isolation. Good architecture comes from collaboration, communication, and understanding how different parts of a project connect. On a personal level, the experience gave me more confidence in my abilities. Working on real projects, receiving feedback from experienced architects, contributing to client presentations, and seeing my ideas become part of professional work made me trust myself more. I realized that I do not need to know everything from the beginning; I need to be willing to learn, ask, improve, and keep going. Living in Oman also influenced the way I think about architecture. Experiencing Omani culture, observing traditional architecture, and seeing how buildings respond to the climate made me more aware of the relationship between architecture, identity, and place. It reminded me that architecture should not simply look good; it should belong to its environment and respond to the people and culture around it. Most importantly, the internship helped me understand what kind of architect I want to become. I want to continue developing technically, but I also want to design with curiosity, responsibility, and empathy. I want to create spaces that respond to real people and real contexts rather than designing only for the image. I went to Oman hoping to become a better architecture student. I came back feeling more prepared to become an architect. IAESTE showed me that growth happens when you are willing to step into the unfamiliar, learn from others, and challenge the way you see yourself and your field.
