Model United Nations

 I feel that participating in Model United Nations has been the most beneficial experience I have had thus far, to enhance my career as a Political Science major.

 Academically, the Thursday night simulations required that I kept abreast of all major events occurring throughout the world.  My preparation for the simulations was considerable.  Although my research was done independent, I learned a lot about the various topics we discussed.  After coming back form New York, I feel that I am better prepared to communicate effectively with others.  I also feel that I have considerable knowledge of he UN and the role it plays in international affairs.  Upon reflection, Model UN was an eye-opening experience for me because I was able to evaluate myself and I came to the realization that in order to succeed one must be well-spoken and assertive.

 I enjoyed benefits in three basic areas form participating in the 1983 Model UN programs:  academic, social, and personal.

 Academically, it provided me an opportunity to learn a great deal about the world's political environment and how individual nations impact global events.  Specifically, it provided me a better understanding of Egyptian policies and the topic of international finance.

 Socially, it brought me in contact with individuals who have similar interests as myself.  The different range of personalities and interests deeply enriched my experience.  As a result, I was able to grow personally.  I was given an opportunity to further expand my international interests.

 Model United Nations has many benefits.  The benefits derived form Model UN far outweigh all the work entailed.  Model UN has taught me through experience how to speak more effectively as well as how to write a persuasive speech.  It has also helped me to speak off the top of my head, which is much more interesting and persuasive, rather than just reading off a paper.  The simulations in which we participate helps prepare the way for New York.  Although this preparation is of the utmost help, you learn quickly how to think, speak, and write more effectively and rapidly once in New York.

 Aside from the academic benefits, the experience in New York matures a person.  You don't come back form New York the same person.  I was very apprehensive and scared before we went to New York but once you get there you jump right in and participate.  The experience gives, well it gave me, a lot more confidence in myself as well as in my abilities.  You also interact with many different people from the U.S. which gives you a chance to board en your range of friends.  You meet with these people in a set atmosphere (conference) as well as socially.  You get out of it what you put in.  These are just some of the benefits derived form Model UN, I can't begin to name them all.  A person has to experience it for herself to believe that so much could be derived from one class. It is worth all the time and effort put into it.

 My NMUN experience has been beneficial to me in many ways.  The academic benefit is obvious.  Model United Nations requires absolutely that each member participate completely.  Part of this involves research.  Preparing for a simulation by investigating a certain country's opinion on an international issue is quite challenging.  Sometimes the country or issue at hand is obscure.  This, of course, makes the job more challenging.  The worst thing to do is to assume that a major-nation assignment means that your role will be easy.  IF you enter a simulation with a sharp mind, well-prepared etc., it will not matter what country you are assigned.  The fact that I learned is that one must make the best of it, and this fact is reinforced in New York.  A good delegate can spark life into a dull committee.

 All of this leads to a wonderful effect that NMUN has on members, especially timid ones.  To excel one must be confident and feel capable.  I think that all members, including myself, are now more sure of our abilities.

 NMUN is also intellectually stimulating, and for me, this aspect is terribly important.  As a Finance major I am inundated with numbers and economic concepts.  These are fine but a bit dry.  Debating in NMUN keeps my mind from going to "mush" (as The Paper Chase's  Professor Kingsfield would say).  I actually credit NMUN with preserving my interest in school this semester.

 Another great benefit is the experience in New York.  I really enjoy meeting other people from different apart of the country and the world to exchange views.

 The benefits I derived from participating in the 1983 Model United Nations project were as varied as one could image.  They ranged from very valuable academic enrichment to a noticeable development in social maturity.  First as a member of this year's delegation and the Economic Commission for Africa, I gained a greater understanding of the almost insurmountable problems the countries of Africa are faced with.  I can honestly say that I now know that attention to these problems must be immediately directed towards solving these crises through financial, and technological assistance by the more financially sound countries.

 In addition I was also exposed to other problems facing the world community in general that must be solved in order to maintain world harmony.  I feel that exposure to these world problems makes me a more intelligent and knowledgeable member of the world community.

 I also gained several significant social skills such as developing the art of persuasion and debate that were necessary to be successful during our Thursday night simulations.  Another skill which I developed as a member of this year's delegation was that of accepting compromise.  I realized that it is necessary for someone to meet others halfway in order to keep a team operating together as one.

 As compared to last year's committee, this year's assignment required more time and energy to adequately cover.  I was not as familiar with the problems facing the African countries as I was with problems facing the more developed countries.  I also felt that the position of Egypt within these committees was a very controversial one and required a highly developed skill of role portrayal.

 The preparation for Thursday night simulations required  continual attention to detail and constant research which might include changes in your country’s policies right up to the minute of simulation.  I know of no other course where you were required to use a high level of expertise in areas such as research, persuasion, oral presentation and be subject to continual interrogation and challenge of your knowledge as in National Model United Nations.

 Each year, the Rider College NMUN team represents a different country in the national competition.  Each team member serves on a different committee ranging from nuclear weapons, to women's rights to peaceful uses of outer space.

 This year, the Rider College team represented Egypt.  I served on the Political and Security Committee, which covered two topics: chemical and biological weapons, and the economic and social consequences of the arms race.  Through extensive research, I learned Egypt's position on these issues.

 Yet the true learning took place in New York, when I was exposed to the viewpoints of over 120 other nations.  I learned that each country looks at the world from its own perspective.  While I observed the representatives of the United States and Soviet Union accusing each other of hoarding chemical weapons, I began to realize that the issue means so much more to countries endangered by these weapons.  The human element surfaced when stories of human suffering were told by delegates of countries attacked by such weapon systems.  I could not possibly have gained this perspective by reading a textbook or by taking notes from a lecture.

 I also gained a more complete perspective of the Nuclear Arms Race.  While both superpowers are concerned with military superiority, I discovered that the issue is much more basic to other nations, for they fear for their very survival.  They not only fear for their lives, but also their economic survival, which is threatened by the arms race.

 The value of Model United Nations, however, goes far beyond learning about specific countries positions on world issues.  By participating in the National competition, I became aware of how political bodies truly operate - not just the United Nations, but also Congress or any other major political bodies.  I learned that what is said on floor debate is far less important than what is agreed upon behind the scenes.  No matter how well a view is presented, it will not gain support without a key factor -- negotiations.  Model United Nations taught me the art of negotiations and making concessions in a true-to-life atmosphere of a United Nations simulation.

 Model UN also contributed to my personal growth by strongly boosting my self-confidence.  Before taking part in the New York competition, I doubted my ability to compete on the same level as students from Brown, Princeton and other top schools in the country.  Rider's track record, however, proves that we can successfully compete against these schools.  This point was best demonstrated in the following anecdote:

 I was attending the first meeting last year, and my mind was full of doubt.  I knew that I was prepared, but doubted my ability to articulate with these top students.  We had broken off into small negotiation groups, and each delegate was summarizing his country's policy.  While I was speaking, the delegate from France, representing Georgetown University, accused me of not accurately representing Sweden's policy.  I immediately struck back, telling the delegate calmly but firmly "how dare you accuse me of this.  I spoke with the ambassador and he informed me of the proper position."  She quickly apologized when she realized that I could support my position.  Since then, we worked together in negotiating with other blocs.  By standing up to attack, I gained respect.

 I realize these comments may seem too impassioned to describe any one course offering but Model UN is a valuable learning experience, not just intellectually, but emotionally and socially as well.