#munners

MUNners: Kids from the Model United Nations program 

I am a MUNner. I am now proud to say it. I am a MUN kid. 

I attended a summer MUN program in Gainesville, Florida in early July. I was going in with no experience, no friends, and no idea of how I would be treated. I always take jokes seriously, I fear everyone who comes into contact with me, and I have stage fright and hate public speaking. So I was basically screwed. 

I came off of the request of my friend Joey. He got me into this stuff my freshman year. I am now a sophomore. 

I arrived and was terrified. I knew no one. I walked into a room of people who I didn't know. They were all laughing, and i felt like they were laughing at me. I was nervous, indeed. We played pictionary, then a mafia game, and I was bullied by someone on my first day. Wonderful way to start off my week. It progressed, then died out towards the third day. I was able to open up a little and make a group of friends. These friends would have my back and help me out whenever i needed it. I was glad I had them, even though they speak rapid spanish and I have no idea what they're saying sometimes. 

I was able to overcome my fear of public speaking, open up, and make friends in the short span of one week. It was amazing. There was some rough patches. I personally refer to my roughest time as "crossing the line" because I physically crossed a line and was all alone, looking at everyone. they called me braved, even though I ran almost 2 minutes after into the bathroom and bawled for a good 20 minutes about how much I hated myself. It was horrible, yet good to vent to someone. 

I learned important speech making skills that I could use for further presentations in my life. I met people who were from around the world. I've written 3 page position papers in the span of 3 hours and quickly emailed them to my counselor just to get feedback the very next day after debate. I've fought with other delegates about sending in Jordanian troops into Syria because it was a bad idea and we needed to think more throughly about the situation instead of going to war. I became so tense in a heated debate that I had to step outside enable to relax. It sounds tough, but was amazing. 

I met KFC and Ryan and learned the importance of communication between the UN and the urgency of certain situations and how they could effect other countries. I made friends I would never forget, and even talk to till this day. 

This is the message I give to people who are considering doing MUN:

Don't be afraid. Volunteer for everything, even if you have no idea what they're talking about. It will be worth it. No one can judge you, so don't be afraid of others. If you feel like it's too much, then talk to someone. I came in knowing nothing, and I left with my counselor telling me that I debate like a pro, with an award, and a "France" placard under my arm. You never know what's going to happen. 

P.s. Ryan is really Bon Ki-Moon :o

P.s.s. I never got a Best Delegate shirt :(