Evaluation
of the 1987 NMUN Experience
Country represented:
Colombia
Barb Dragowski: The benefits that I received from being a member of the 1987 Model UN project are twofold. Academically, I increased my knowledge of the United Nations, and certain political topics (specifically Namibia and Palestine) in a way that combined both research and "hands on" experience. Personally, I had the opportunity to sharpen my public speaking, debating, and small group relations skills, in a competitive and stimulating atmosphere-one that far exceeds that of the typical classroom. I am a first semester Junior, and to this date the only other academic course that I had taken that came slightly close to the preparation work for MUN was my Argumentation and Debate class. MUN was far more extensive, and demanded weekly preparation. Yes, it deserves three credits at the least. With the amount of time, effort and energy that goes into successful preparation, I would strongly advocate six credits. Primary qualities that I would like to see in the 1988 team are as follows: a) Ability to work well with fellow teammates. b) Dedication to a job well done, and to the team itself. c) Willingness to cooperate, and not be disruptive. d) Ability to handle criticism as a learning and growing aid. e) Willingness to work hard. f) Good speaking and listening abilities.
Gary Lutnick: From participating in the 1987 National Model United Nations, I derived a firmer grasp of world politics and a better understanding of how friends interplay in the politics of world affairs. I exercised and developed my persuasive skills and my speaking ability was strengthened. National Model United Nations, to me, was much more work than most of the 3-credit courses that I've taken at Rider College. I was constantly doing research for the simulations. Because my background is not in world politics, I probably did more research than most people, but I can now say that I am much more educated on world affairs than I was before I started.
Jim Mosher: In my opinion the National Model United Nations project was very beneficial and I only wish that I had participated in it earlier in my academic career. The benefits are many but I will discuss how the NMUN better prepared me for the very competitive business field which I plan to enter. The NMUN was my first opportunity to debate in conference rooms which to me is like an actual simulation of corporate board room discussions. I learned the arts of compromising, negotiating, and finally coming to one formal decision which is agreed upon by all. Further, learning how to speak in front of so many people was challenging and its conquest can only make me more effective in my future business endeavors. The long hours of constantly debating and caucusing was very tiresome but again it is something which I am sure I will be exposed to again. The NMUN required research to be done weekly for class simulations and required extensive research on topics related to our NMUN committees. In comparison with other three credit classes I would say the NMUN project required a unique form of research to be done unlike any other type for any other three credit class. The average three credit class at Rider has a person studying theories which they can't wait to forget but the NMUN project required you to study for your very survival in the fierce competition which comes from across The North American Continent.
Anna Marie Nixon: The most beneficial aspect of the Model UN is to give students knowledge pertaining to the inner workings of international relations and the United Nations as a working body. But, the program goes much further than this surface knowledge. I gained much confidence in myself through the weekly simulations here at Rider, enough confidence that I was not nervous when I got to New York. Public speaking is also an ability that is enhanced through the work done for the Nationals Competition. I learned a lot about myself as well. Leadership skills are enhanced by way of leading your bloc. Skills in negotiations and compromise are also a focus of the program. But the most important thing I learned was the history and culture of Colombia as compared with the United States. I learned of different views about a broad range of topics held by other countries. I also realized that my views are not always correct, just because they are the views of my country. I got a different perspective on the role of women in society from the delegates from Iran and Iraq. I may not totally agree with their view, but I understand the reasoning behind women's roles. All in all, Model United Nations is a mind-expanding, wealth of knowledge that Rider offers. The program is the best experience I have ever had in school.
Brian Joseph Peretti: By participating in the 1987 Model UN project, I was able to get a much better knowledge of the politics that go on in the international scene. The trip to New York also gave me a much better understanding of how other people prepared for Model UN and gave me a feeling of how much better we were prepared than other schools. I put in much more effort into this class than any other class that I have had in the time that I have been at Rider College. Also, I have learned more in this class than any other.
Rick Plum: The benefits I derived from participating in the 1987 Model United Nations are more immaterial than concrete. Such things as the experience in dealing with other people, on a national basis, cannot be touched, or measured. Also, the learning experience, (learning about international diplomacy, the inner workings of the UN, indeed, the workings of the UN, and of diplomacy and how it works in general), was priceless. (And fun!) In comparison to other three-credit courses, MUN took more effort, preparation, participation, and original thought than anything else I took so far at Rider. (And I took Ethics this semester!)
Edgar Russell: I found the 1987 Model UN conference to be an academically and socially rewarding experience. It is extremely difficult for me to adequately express what Model UN has meant to me in words. I feel that it has improved my ability to communicate and negotiate with colleagues while providing me with a degree of confidence which I lacked in my pre-Model UN years. Model UN does not compare with any other 3 credit course that I have encountered. The intensity level of Model UN is extremely high. This intensity reaches its zenith in the 5-day New York competitions. Upon our arrival in New York I witnessed the transformation of 1500 apprehensive, nervous, intimidated kids into eager, aggressive, and confident adults. No other 3 credit course could produce such dramatic changes in such a short period of time.
Marc Wallace: The benefits that I derived from Model UN included an improvement in my leadership, debating, and negotiating skills. It was an experience involving lots of cooperation with various personalities that was an enjoyable experience. National Model UN required more of an effort than my other classes. It involved lots of research in the library, cooperation with classmates, and an understanding of the issues. This class clearly went beyond book knowledge.
Terrence Wassum: The benefits of NMUN were numerous. The obvious benefit was a heightened understanding of other nations' internal and foreign policies, and their perceptions of world issues. The experience also developed my ability to speak in front of others, especially with little or no preparation. It allowed me to meet people from diverse academic backgrounds, and in New York, I was able to meet students from all over the country as well as some foreign students. It was interesting to deal with students with backgrounds other than business, as I have grown accustomed to working with almost exclusively. The experience was social as well as academic. This was undoubtedly the most stimulating course in my college career. The effort required for this course is greater than other 3 credit courses. A heavy research load is necessary. However, the work is more enjoyable--there are papers due, but no tests to worry about. And, of course, the benefits gained far outweigh the efforts put into this course in the final analysis. NMUN is definitely worth at least 3 credits. It requires almost 2 full semesters of hard work to prepare for the conference, which itself is very intense. I know of no other course which requires such non-stop research throughout the semester. Again, however, it is the benefits which give NMUN its worth. It gives you an understanding of international issues and conflicts by allowing you to "experience" how others nations of the world view these problems. Very often, you don't like what you see, especially in terms of how the United States is viewed by other countries. Of course, you can't really perceive these issues exactly as other nations do, but NMUN does give a unique insight. The benefits of NMUN go far beyond their worth as a course in international relations, however. The students develop communication skills in the weekly simulations and the conference in New York that will last a lifetime. Personally, I have never taken any course which has done more to improve my confidence in speaking before others (this includes courses specifically designed for the purpose). I know of no other 3 credit course from which so many lasting benefits can be derived.
James Welsh: The NMUN was an extremely enlightening experience for me. It enhanced my speaking and writing abilities, and also taught me how to arbitrate and negotiate important political issues through the mechanisms and various instruments created under the United Nations Charter. One cannot compare NMUN to any other three credit course, because NMUN is more than a course, it's an experience which benefits all those that take advantage of it. It is also a National Convention which enable students to represent Rider College. The experience gained from participating in this course cannot be gained from any other course on an undergraduate level. Each delegate is responsible for individual research on assigned agenda topics. This researching included periodical trips to Princeton University's UN depository as well as materials from Rider's library. NMUN is definitely worth three credits, in fact, in my opinion it could easily be considered for four credits. I base this conclusion on the full-year preparation effort that is needed to prepare for New York.
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