In comparison with other 3-credit courses, how much effort did the
NMUN participation require of you?
The participation required by NMUN was by far the most amount of work
I've had to do in terms of research and presentation here at Rider. It
required a great deal of research and memorization for the purposes of
staying in character and knowing procedural rules and regulations.
What academic benefits did you derive from participating
in the 2001 NMUN? If you are a second-year member, what did you learn this
year that you did not learn last year?
My ability to research using online resources was greatly developed.
I also learned a great deal about the workings of the actual United Nations,
and the difficulties and flaws in their procedures. This course incorporated
international politics, world history, rhetoric and public speaking as
well as psychology and diplomacy, and I believe I learned much more about
all of those subjects because of it.
What non-academic benefits did you derive from participating
in the 2001 NMUN? If you are a second-year member, what did you learn this
year that you did not learn last year?
The amount of interaction one has in New York with the delegates from
other colleges is incredible. I grew as a person in terms of cultural exposure,
both from American delegates as well as foreign students, in immeasurable
amounts. The leadership skills I already possessed prior to attending the
conference were greatly put to the test. As a result, I was able to develop
these skills and apply them in new and creative ways. People skills were
also necessary in this conference, and those were also improved and expanded
upon. Overall, this opportunity brought about an incredible amount of development
in character and professionalism.
Overall evaluation of the 2001 NMUN experience
When asked to write on the experience, I can honestly say I do not
have the words to describe the incredible amount of change this conference
brought in me. I have learned more about myself
in this one class than all other Rider University experiences combined.
I was a bit skeptical when I was told that NMUN would change my life permanently.
This could not be a truer statement now. Only a few days after the conference's
end, I have already established friendships with delegates from other states
and nations, as well as from my own team that I know will last me a lifetime.
The skills I gained in this class are invaluable to my future, and I feel
sorry for those students who do not obtain these skills as quickly and
as efficiently as NMUN can teach them.
There are few achievements that landmark a
person’s progress as a person both in their career and within them. NMUN
was one of those achievements for me. The experience was a success, in
ways that are too difficult and personal to explain, and I am infinitely
grateful to have been a part of it.
Self-Evaluation index
phanc@rider.edu