From Internship to Innovation: How the Bath World Heritage Centre Shaped Global Path Connections Ltd

At Global Path Connections Ltd, we believe that meaningful cultural understanding forms the foundation of successful international business. This belief was deeply reinforced during Mariam Amhaz’s internship and volunteer period at the Bath World Heritage Centre from October 2023 to September 2024.

The Centre, managed by Bath & North East Somerset Council, stands as a remarkable example of how heritage can be brought to life through engaging, inclusive, and interactive experiences. From the moment we stepped into the Centre, it was clear that this was far more than a visitor attraction. It is a dynamic space where history, culture, and community intersect in meaningful ways.

One moment that will stay with us forever came when a family of five from the Middle East arrived at the Centre. The mother was visibly hesitant to speak English, and an elderly family member stayed close by her side. Drawing on her knowledge of traditional dress and cultural etiquette, Mariam warmly greeted them in Arabic. The family’s faces instantly lit up with surprise and relief.

With genuine care and patience, Mariam offered her full support; guiding them through the exhibits, explaining the best places to visit in Bath, and delivering a short, engaging presentation on the city’s lush green skylines, elegant Georgian architecture, the Roman Baths, and the ancient spa. As she highlighted beautiful parallels between Roman wellness traditions and longstanding Middle Eastern practices of healing, hospitality, and community bathing, the entire family leaned in. Their eyes sparkled with recognition as ancient history suddenly felt intimately connected to their own rich cultural heritage. In that moment, the Bath World Heritage Centre became far more than a museum; it became a bridge of understanding and belonging.

We were particularly inspired by the dedication and professionalism of the team, including Volunteer Manager Abi Godfrey and Gill, who provided exceptional guidance and support throughout the internship. Their commitment to cross-cultural dialogue and public engagement created an environment where volunteers could develop valuable skills in cultural storytelling, public speaking, hospitality, and inclusive communication.

The experience also began with the encouragement of Professor Marion Harney and her department at the University of Bath, whose guidance motivated students to pursue this opportunity. We extend our sincere appreciation to Professor Harney and the University of Bath for fostering such meaningful connections between academia and heritage institutions.

This period allowed us to witness first-hand the power of cultural intelligence in action. The Centre’s approach; making heritage accessible, interactive, and relevant to diverse audiences; reinforced our conviction that deep cultural understanding is essential for successful global collaboration.

A Forward-Looking Suggestion

Given the Centre’s significant impact on volunteers and interns, we believe it would benefit from a dedicated Alumni Page. Such a platform would enable former participants to share their experiences, express gratitude, and maintain connections as cultural ambassadors for Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage values.

The internship at Bath World Heritage Centre played a pivotal role in shaping the vision and values of Global Path Connections Ltd. The lessons learned; particularly the importance of cultural intelligence, inclusive engagement, and meaningful storytelling; now form the core of our proprietary Global Path Framework™.

We remain deeply grateful to:

Professor Marion Harney and the University of Bath
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Abi Godfrey and Gill at the Bath World Heritage Centre

Their collective efforts continue to inspire our work in helping SMEs navigate international expansion with cultural intelligence and purpose.