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