Omani students personal refection on the Omani gathering recently held in New Zealand -A flash back is all what took me to realize that coming to New Zealand as an international student meant I took living in Oman amongst my family for granted. Furthermore, seeing Oman being resembled in New Zealand is what swiped me off my feet.

This year, the Omani Student Society held its sixth annual Gathering in Palmerston North. Students from Auckland and Hamilton attended the meeting. As well as Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bahadly, a senior lecturer at Massey University, Mr. Mohammed Al-Kharusi, the president of the Omani Student Society Of New Zealand, Ms. Manal Al- Bulushi the Vice president of the Omani Student Society, Mr. Hamad Al-Maawali, Ms. Rabab Al- Lawati and Mr. Mohammed Al-Rahbi, the presidents of the Omani local associations in Auckland and Hamilton respectively and the presidents of the Saudi and Kuwaiti local associations in Palmerston North.

Entering into the theater we were welcomed by students dressed up in Omani clothes serving halwa and sweets. After the national anthem was sung with honor and pride, and everyone was settled, the ceremony was presented by Maryam Al Rawahi. The podium was then taken by the head of the Omani Student Society, Mohammed Al-Kharusi, who gave his introductory speech, proceeded by Zakariya Al - Battashi . Both of the speeches mainly reinforced the idea of achieving our goals by perusing academic excellence, yet also socializing and interacting with Omani and non-Omani students to enrich and complete our overseas experience.

The Omani heritage and culture is one of a kind and is cherished internationally. Therefore, Othman Al- Kandari, a Kuwaiti student, Sang to us with his mesmerizing voice a song about Oman and kept us all fully captivated. Followed by that, was a traditional Omani dance which personified the Omani heritage and hospitality. The dance is called the razha and is a rhythmic movement of a wooden stick in correspondence to a certain beat. To its simplicity it, is a very vibrant dance that preserves and illustrates our heritage. The next part of the program stole the show away. It was a fashion show in which little children were dressed up in Omani dresses and walked across the red carpet to display them. The flamboyant garments and the bright smiles on the children’s faces kept us all awe-inspired. Each dress was thoroughly described and its association to the area in which it was worn was explained.

This gathering got all the Omani students of New Zealand together and was considered to be one of the biggest of its kind. It has been a great opportunity to meet students from all around New Zealand and make new connections and friends. Nevertheless, the whole experience to me still remains as a dream.