Memories from Model UN in High School

To those of you who were part of the Model United Nations (UN) in high school, what do you remember the most about it? I'm thinking about joining next year and want some first-hand stories.

Model UN can provide a truly enriching experience that goes beyond learning about global issues. It's an activity that lets you develop crucial skills, delve deep into important topics, and create lasting friendships. Let me drop a few things I typically hear from students who've participated that could shape your own experience.

Firstly, the feeling of representing a country's perspective, sometimes a perspective that you don't agree with, is quite fascinating. It's a different kind of challenge to understand, articulate, and defend that country's stance on complex issues. It can be a fantastic exercise in empathy and diplomacy.

The highlight for many students is attending conferences, both at the local and international levels. The electric atmosphere, hanging out with like-minded peers from different parts of the world, and participating in heated debates can be an adrenaline rush. These conferences can sometimes require travel, offering a chance to see new places.

Sometimes, students even get to participate in crisis scenarios during these conferences, where you have to respond to a sudden, unexpected situation, like a natural disaster. That's a unique adrenaline rush.

Also, the development of leadership skills is often highlighted as they get to lead their peers in successfully passing their resolutions. This could include negotiating with delegates of other nations, convincing them to support your resolution, and, at times, making significant compromises to secure that support.

Keep in mind that the amount of research required can be intensive. Some people remember late nights preparing briefing papers. But that hard work can pay off when you get to the conference and can speak fluently about your topic.

A final thing to note: many students have formed close-knit friendships with their fellow Model UN team members. Working together late into the night, traveling for conferences, and celebrating after passing a tricky resolution can forge some strong bonds.

While these experiences might vary depending on your school's Model UN program, many students have found their time spent in Model UN to be one of the most worthwhile experiences of their high school journey. So, I would recommend you to consider participating!