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Last Reflection

Today is our last day of exams for the semester and I am preparing to move everything out. I wil be studying abroad next semester in Mexico. This semester has been amazing. It was full and busy and a great start to my sophomore year. I have to say that MODEL UN ranked at the top of my experiences for this semester. I am very interested in international politics and Model Un was exactly the kind of simulation I was hoping for. I learned so much about diplomacy and the UN which will be an invaluable amount of information for my career dreams. It was also a great precursor to my study abroad experience that I will begin soon. I can't say enough good things about Model UN and just cannot wait to be a part of it again.
Marisol

The Chicago/Model UN Experience- Katie Orvin

The opportunity to travel to Chicago and participate in the Model United Nations Conference was priceless. I have learned an important lesson: a politician and a diplomat are two very different people. Politics has always interested me, as I am a political science major; however, one can never fully understand the work of a diplomat until you walk a little in their shoes. As a diplomat representing the country of Somalia, I had to put aside my American world view which was more difficult than I had imagined. As Americans, our policy views are somewhat tainted by our status on the world stage. We are a rich, industrialized, 1st world country; very different from the status held by the under developed Somalia. As a Somalian, it was important that we encourage the United Nations to work with the African Union to supply humanitarian aid and peacekeepers so that our country could begin working toward stability. It was a difficult to get the other nations of the world to recognize our needs and, in turn, for us to recognize their needs. The United Nations is not the stage to push for what your own country needs but instead to work together and compromise for things that will benefit you and the rest of the world. The most important lesson I have taken with me from this experience, however, is the value of humility.

As young college students, we all like to believe that we have all the answers and only we could rule the world as it should be ruled. We also believe that we should always be the leaders and have others follow our lead. The Model United Nations experience has taught me that I do not want to be responsible for ruling the world. Every leader of every nation has a very difficult task. It is a mistake to believe that the answers are "simple" when it comes to governing and policy. Often resolutions were presented that, while good in theory, were not necessarily the best way to achieve a certain goal. Many have also become accustomed to doing nothing but criticizing or insulting another's point of view or ideas. With this attitude, nothing would ever or could ever be accomplished. Also, as far as humility, it is important to realize that sometimes you should not choose to lead but, rather, be chosen to lead. Some of our fellow representatives at the conference attempted to lead at every corner when there were others that were better for a particular cause or task. It is far better to humble yourself and follow when necessary rather than to believe that you, and only you, are the best for the job. If you truly are the best leader for a particular cause or situation, you will be called upon to lead. If you are not the best for a certain job, then humble yourself and be a great follower. It is only with cooperation and respect that we will be able to make any change in the world. Recognize and respect your own abilities and limits, while also recognizing and respecting the abilities of others.

Thank you Columbia College for giving me such a great opportunity that has changed, not only who I am, but who I believe others to be also.

Katie Orvin

LUNCH & AWARDS CEREMONY

Well we all met for the last time today for lunch, sweets and to thank all those who made this possible. That includes Dr. Whitson, Dr. Hopkins, Dr. Zuberzaretta and the Faculty Development Committee, Dr. Sharkey and Dr. Burk. Without their generous financial and moral support we would not have been able to go to Chicago. And we also wanted to thank Mrs. Parker for agreeing to come along when we asked her, a week before we were to leave!



The Model UN got Mrs. Parker a photo calendar that had our photos every month, so all year long Mrs. Parker can remember her trip with the delegation.

Here we can see Dr. Sharkey and Dr.Burk listening to some of the delegates explaining what they took away from this experienmce.

In this photo we see Dr. Burk, Dr. Whitson and Mrs. Parker eating and again enjoying the company and talk.

This is a great photo..(left to right) Joi Ellington, Ashley Wright, Mrs. Parker, Kayla Mallett, Dr. Jones, Jennifer McGriff and Jessica Cornish.

Here Dr. Hopkins is receiving her plaque from the Model UN Delegation.

Some of the students, like Emily Woodard telling Dr. Whitson her experiences in Chicago.

From left to right, Mrs. Parker, Dr. Sharkey, Dr. Hopkins and Dr. Whitson, and Dr. Burk.

I hope some of the students will post their blogs before they leave campus so you can learn how they feel about all the excitement, experiences and friends they have made through the Model UN. Next year, we will keep the CC community posted when we will start fielding applications for the next Model UN. Our country next year is Italy. Until then, Ciao tutti!

Lunch & Awards Ceremony

Next Wednesday, the Model UN delegation will host a Lunch & Awards Ceremony to recognize the generous support from our Guests of Honor; Dr. Whitson, Dr. Hopkins, Dr. Burk and Dr. Sharkey, as well as Dr. Zubzaretta and Mrs. Parker. I will post photos and comments from the lunch afterwards. Come back then to see who got what.

MODEL UN PRESENTATION

A great crowd of people came to listen to our delegation. Thank you all.

Seated from left to right: Kayla Mallett, Katie Bates, Joi Ellington, Jessica Cornish, Katie Orvin, Lisa Yaxis, Jennifer McGriff, Katie Damon, Ashley Wright.

Marisol Slater arrived a few minutes late (seated far left) but got right into the discussion.

Well the ladies were prepared, as always, and we had quite a crowd and we were happy to welcome Dr. Tamara Burk. The ladies took turn talking about their experiences, the challenges, the frustrations, the exhilaration of the Model UN. As each spoke, they became very animated, recalling all of their favorite moments, as well as all the work. Then they started talking about the fun and finally took questions from those present. Dr. Burk asked about, what else, Leadership. All the ladies took turn answering that question, but I think the moment was all Jessica Cornish's. She answered with feeling and exceptional depth about being able to have a voice, to try to make a difference, coming together and being, excuse the corny expression "all you can be". She spoke from the heart and I think everyone present was deeply moved by her speech. I know many of my students who attended talked about how much fun it was listening to the delegation. They also talked about the feelings they got from the delegation, that what they were saying wasn't just words, but true feelings. They were greatly impressed as to the knowledge and expertise of the Model UN delegation. I could not of have been prouder, rather like a 'mother hen' I was so pleased and proud of these young ladies. They have travelled wide and far, and have come back all the much more then when they left. Their accomplishment, their success is Columbia College's accomplishment and success. Thank you ladies!

The Model UN Experience - Katy Bates

Hey y'all!

So I should start by saying that my Model UN Experience was definitely interesting! As a part of the Economic and Social Council or ECOSOC, Kayla and I were able to see a different side of the UN. Instead of having only two issues, we had three: The Importance of Science and Technology, Violence against Women and Girls (perfect for a Columbia College lady), and Humanitarian Aid (perfect for a Somalian). After spending all of the first day arguing over which topic to be discussed first, it was clear that being a Diplomat is easier said than done. It was also interesting that the typical voting "blocks" did not always work out. It went from the AU, EU, etc., to random countries such as Madagascar, Denmark, and Indonesia working together. It was definitely interesting to see how people were able to agree and disagree on different issues. Our committee was also entertaining. People really like to take it seriously. We even had the Representative from Cuba show up with a camouflage jacket, fake scruffy beard, and a cigar (unlit, of course).

I will have to say that my favorite part was being in Chicago. It is definitely a great city (except for the wind part)! I loved walking the "Magnificent Mile" and eating with the "Locals". My favorite purchase turned out to be a $2.00 knit hat from Walgreen's that saved my ears!!! They are not kidding when they say, "The Windy City."

Overall, it was a great learning experience! Being a UN Delegate is harder than it looks. You really have to know everything about every country and every issue to really understand what it going on. I'll have to admit that I might have to stick to State and National politics for now! :)