MOSMUN

Although I’ve participated in Model UN for the past four years, I would consider the 2022-23 season my most successful year yet in terms of personal growth. This year, I was able to participate in three crisis committees – an area of MUN I had been fearful of throughout my entire MUN career, but have now come to love. Not only have these committees opened my eyes to multiple historical topics, but they have provided me with a broad variety of opportunities and experience: the fast-paced atmosphere has pushed me to swiftly respond to pressing issues through notes and directives, deliver impromptu speeches, and correspond with other delegates in the room. Four years ago, I could barely rise from my seat in class to deliver a speech without drowning in anxiety and doubt – today, I am able to confidently stand up in front of a room full of people and deliver a speech with little to no preparation. I have felt both my public speaking skills and my overall confidence improve this year, which in turn have positively impacted my everyday life. A major factor for this growth has been the continuous support from my peers and advisor – I am forever grateful for their help and kindness throughout my MUN journey. Our weekly meetings have also been a vital part of this experience – learning about global issues and international relations, while being able to spend time with one of MOSMUN’s most dedicated groups yet, has been both highly enjoyable and rewarding. I have loved and cherished the past four years with MOSMUN, and can’t wait for another great season!

Gracie Morrison – student, 2019-2023

As a kid who always followed their sister during her MUN adventures, having had the honor of participating for two years has been quite a journey. Each conference has been an exhilarating experience—from debating, proposing solutions, to making new friends, and especially hanging out with my MOSMUN friends. It is beyond satisfying to go from being scared to speak to feeling confident to do so and engage in conversation with others. Each early conference morning, I always wake up eager to start the day. From my first EagleMUNC conference to my most recent one, I have learnt skills like planning and researching, which I was also able to apply to my daily life. I am so grateful to have such a kind and supportive team and I am excited to see where we end up! Without my sister partaking in this unique activity, I must be frank, I might have never experienced my newly-found favorite activity. Let’s hope the time flies until MUN will be back in business, because I have never felt more alive!

Luca Drondoe – student, 2021-2023

Mun has changed me in so many ways over the past several months and every single one of those changes was made for the positive. Not only have I been eager to learn more about whatever topic I am given, but I have also learned to love whatever topic is brought to us no matter the circumstances. I had the privilege of working with Lily the whole first conference as a double delegation and struggled immensely without her. I won’t lie, at times I contemplated just throwing in the towel and saying I was not capable of doing it alone and that made it really hard to research for Bosmun. Mun has given me so much more motivation for school and I can promise you it’s one of the only things I excitedly wake up at 7:30 am for every Friday morning. Aside from helping with school, mun has allowed me to watch myself come out of my shell a little bit more each week and that is something I have absolutely loved. I remember the first week of class, Cristina had us write speeches that gave a few reasons as to why a fruit/vegetable was the best one out there. I was panicking because all I could think was “I could never ever ever get up and give a speech in front of so many people!!”. Little did I know, I would get up and give a speech in front of 160 people on the mental health of climate refugees just 2 months later. I will forever be grateful to Cristina and the rest of the group for being supportive through everything and reminding me that I am capable of doing this and that there is always something I can do to grow more.

Phoebe Morris – student, 2022/2023

My fifth year of MUN has been one of if not the best in my entire time with Mosaic Explore. This year started off with so many new students, for which I had the honor of helping mentor and guide in their MUN journey as first their Vice President then President. The first thing that I must say is how impressed I am at each and everyone of their growth throughout the year, from conference to conference from class to class. I saw as their speeches got better and they spoke with more confidence. The team while young adapted so well to the challenges that were thrown at them and I couldn’t be more proud of them all. This year I also saw a lot of personnel growth in my Model UN career. Just a few years ago in an online committee, I was part of a 16 person bloc which I despised being a part of due to its sheer size and trying to navigate it. At my Guild Writers Strike committee I successfully navigated my way around a bloc of 16 along with making sure that the resolution satisfied everyone involved. My next committee came full circle. At my first ever BOSMUN I remember seeing an Avatar the Last Airbender committee and thinking how cool it sounded. Little did I think I would be representing Suyin Beifong in the Rise of the Red Lotus committee. Even though I was completely in my element in the research phase the real challenge would come with the committee itself. The Rise of the Red Lotus was one of the hardest yet one of the best committees I have participated in. It was the perfect mix of intense crisis updates, amazing delegates, and an invested chair. Though it had its ups and downs I still found myself deeply invest in my UNSC committee. The Senkaku Islands conflict was the perfect storm for the UNSC. I had a lot of fun maneuvering the complicated political challenges of the issue. These amazing conferences and a team I couldn’t be more happy with all contributed to what was one of the best years of Model UN. I cannot wait to keep working with them and seeing as they grow and learn even further and rise to meet the next challenge that comes their way.

Angus MacPherson – student, 2018-2023

The beginning of what I plan to be a lengthy MUN career, did not dissapoint. I heard so much about this experience through Acadia and at the time I understood none of it, but through a year of trial and error I understand why she loved it so much. I’ve learned about global issues and why it’s so important to educate yourself on them, I’ve started working on essential skills I hope to build even more, and truly enjoyed my MUN experience. I’ve gained friendships, life skills, and developed a true passion for the MUN appeal, and can’t wait to do it again next year – I feel empty without it.

Annaren Knickerbocker – student, 2022/2023

I feel so lucky to have been able to be part of this amazing Model United Nations class. I have been presented with so many great learning experiences. While some of these have been scary, and made me feel like giving up, the skills I have gained have made it all worth while. Additionally, I have made amazing friends who have been unbelievably supportive. Even though I will not be able to participate in MUN next year, I feel certain that the skills I have learned from this class will stay with me for the rest of my life. In just one year I have learned about so many relevant world issues that became important to me. I love seeing how these topics that I studied for conferences come up quite frequently in everyday life and conversations. It makes me feel proud that I now have a much better understanding of the topics and have something to say about them. Additionally, after standing up in front of many delegates at conferences and speaking about these topics that I became passionate about, I feel much more confident to share my thoughts in my everyday life. Model UN has shaped my being. I’m so glad that it has.

Lily Lion – student, 2022/2023

It is impossible to name all of the benefits of participating in MUN. First off, it has made me realize that I want to make a difference in this world and given me the confidence to do so. Throughout the various conferences I have participated in, I have learned about important topics ranging from the Israel Palestine conflict to the #MeToo movement. Another very important aspect MUN has taught me, is how to gain confidence in public speaking. I started MUN timidly reading a speech I had written painstakingly and now am confidently giving improvised speeches on topics I am passionate about. MUN has also given me a lot of confidence in standing up for what I believe in. As a somewhat shy teenage girl, there is nothing more empowering than standing up to a group of arrogant guys and putting them in their place. The support I have received from the rest of the MUN team and especially Cristina, is irreplaceable. I have transferred all of these skills to my daily life and firmly believe everyone should have a chance to participate and learn from MUN.

Josi Lion – student, 2020-2023