NMUN: A year-long experience

Almosta year ago, in August 2022, I received an email from the politics and international studies department for enrollment in the selection process for the National Model United Nations Simulation class at Bishop’s (POL 352-354). I decided to apply and went through the selection process that would lead me to New York for the NMUN simulations. Looking back at this whole year, as I am in New York after two semesters of intensive work, makes me very nostalgic and very proud of the work this year’s delegation has accomplished.

The selection process

The enrollment period opens during the summer as students receive an email informing them of the possibility to be part of this year-long course. Students must submit a letter of intent, a resume, and an academic transcript and must have completed the prerequisite courses to be considered for interviews. The interviews are conducted by politics and international studies professor Dr. Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé and students are informed shortly after, by the selection committee also composed of this year’s head delegates, if they are selected for this course.

The involvement and workload

Participating in the NMUN class is very enriching and fulfilling, but it also involves work outside of class. Students must pay more expensive fees for this class than others offered at Bishop’s. Students must also participate in fundraising events to raise funds for the New York trip at the end of the winter semester. Attendance is mandatory for every class, including all simulations. This year, the Bishop’s delegation conducted three simulations in the fall semester and two simulations

Christina Lépine, Features Editor » thecampus.features@gmail.com

Christina Lépine- Features Editor

in the winter semester with Université de Sherbrooke students involved in their NMUN club. These simulations prepare the delegates to go through the entire process of agenda setting, roll call, formatting resolutions, creating amendments, collaborating with other delegates, conducting speeches, learning about decorum, and more. These simulations led to the Quebec Model United Nations simulation which took place on Feb. 4, 2023, at Collège Montmorency, involving Quebec CEGEP and university students. All of this training led to the ultimate goal of the class, the National Model United Nations Simulation in New York City, taking place from April 2-7 2023 where the Bishop’s delegation represented the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Learnings and experience

The NMUN class is very enriching academically and personally.

We learn a lot about the United Nations and the different committees, diplomacy, collaboration, networking, and more. On a more personal level, we also learn a lot about ourselves. We learn how we react under pressure and stress, who is a leader and steps up when needed, how to react to confrontations and unfriendly communications, and more. It also offers important lessons on presentation and professionalism, for instance, how to present yourself in a professional way keeping in mind your posture, hand gestures, and hand shake. This class has been stressful at times, but I had the opportunity to learn a lot about myself and about my field of study, to meet scholars and to attend events that were very fulfilling. I would recommend taking this class to all politics and international studies students interested in diplomacy, international relations and the United Nations.