Between March 19 and 29, a group of TAMIU students flew across the Atlantic to The Hague in the Netherlands to participate in the 2009 Harvard World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) conference. According to the Division of International Affairs, the WorldMUN conference “is the most diverse college-level Model UN conference in the World, and the largest outside North America.” Lasting one week, the conference “combines committee sessions during the day with nightly social events.” Undoubtedly, WorldMUN gives student-delegates an opportunity to become better global citizens. In the following interview, five delegates-Michael Bustamante, James Cortez, Cynthia Gallardo, Monica Luna, and Annette Maldonado-share their experiences at WorldMUN.
The Bridge: What motivated you to participate in the WorldMUN conference?
Michael Bustamante: I absolutely love debate and all things public speaking and to find an opportunity where these are combined with love of travel … I knew the WorldMUN conference was right up my alley.
Cynthia Gallardo: I wanted the experience of becoming an international leader. The Harvard WorldMUN conference [was an] amazing opportunity that allowed me to and network with various individuals and speak about global issues that are impacting the world.
James Cortez: My family always emphasizes a global education experience. They advocate that being able to communicate effectively in arenas that aren’t always similar to your major of study is important to succeeding in this world. … I also wanted to show that TAMIU creates successful individuals who can compete in a global arena.
Monica Luna: A chance to visit Amsterdam was my motivation, initially, but as I learned more about WorldMUN and its purpose, I grew really enthusiastic about meeting diverse, like-minded students interested in our global community.
Annette: The opportunity to experience new cultures and countries while also interacting with students from all walks of life.
The Bridge: How did you prepare for the conference?
MB: Because I was a delegate in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) representing the Republic of Ghana, I spent a lot of time researching The rights of Indigenous Peoples and torture and extraordinary rendition in order to understand the suffering and social inequities that these people face daily. Aside from this, I really spent time just talking to myself about the issues. Inner monologue totally helps when dealing with problems. Try working out a complex math problem without talking to yourself… pretty hard, no?
C: [Besides learning about Ghana,] My committee was the World Health Organization (WHO), so I had to read their latest updates regarding our selected topics which were Water Scarcity and Health and Child and Adolescent Development
J: Several ways. First off, I became involved in a lot of leadership activities at my university, [such as] becoming student body president and the vice-chair for administration on the Texas A&M University System’s chancellor’s student advisory board. I read the WorldMUN website’s information on parliamentary procedure, and I also researched topics of interest and discussed some of my findings with some professors at this university such as Dr. Ortiz and Dr. Jaramillo. … During the conference, I made sure I kept up with everything. If something I had no idea about was discussed on a particular day, I would spend the night researching that issue in order to come prepared with a solution the next day.
ML: This experience required a lot of preparation not only for the conference but also for travelling. We were responsible for our travelling and hotel arrangements. I had to pack accordingly, and being accustomed to Laredo heat makes it difficult to anticipate functional wardrobe in cooler climates. We also had to figure out the currency exchange-how the euro compares to the dollar-and determine how much money would be needed for essentials.
The Bridge: How did the Office of International Education assist you with preparations?
C: Dr. Ortiz and Ms. Janet Garcia were very helpful and insightful to our preparations. Dr. Ortiz mentored our delegation and offered suggestions to better prepare ourselves for this conference. They kept me motivated, and I thank them for that.
J: Associate Vice President of International Programs, Dr. Ortiz greatly assisted me. He read my position papers, provided feedback, listened to my preparation schedule, and always provided suggestions for improvement.
ML: OIE Helped with funding the trip through a substantial scholarship, which was greatly appreciated. Also, they provide advice and materials regarding travel safety and essentials. For example, it’s best to always carry your hotel’s business card. That way, if you find yourself lost or, for whatever reason, unintelligible, you can give the address to a taxi driver.
The Bridge: What is unique about the WorldMun experience?
MB: I couldn’t tell you what’s unique about this experience because I really don’t have another conference to compare it to, but I can tell you that it was an amazing opportunity. College students from all around the world come together to debate and discuss important world issues, but to also socialize and gain a greater understanding of one another.
J: Being a part of WorldMUN alongside thousands of individuals all throughout the world with global perceptions on everyday issues is certainly unique. At the conference, I had an opportunity to really refine the ways I would interact with different people on any set of issues. I learned how to become more global-minded in my thinking, and I also learned how to become a better global citizen through the conference. I feel grateful that Texas A&M International University chose to give me this opportunity for such great personal development.
ML: The conference is a simulation of the UN with global leaders making decisions on world issues. Typically, we consider leaders to be of an older generation due to their life experience. What’s unique about WorldMUN is that it’s our generation thinking about these issues and working together to find viable solutions. WorldMUN empowers the world’s youth by providing a platform to stand and be heard. It’s awesome.
The Bridge: What did you take away from your interaction with other WorldMUn delegates?
C: I met people my age that have traveled the world, shadowed world leaders, and are truly impacting the world. It was really refreshing and insightful. I also learned that being in the United States is a blessing, where education, our opinions, and our freedom are valued.
Annette: That even though we all come from diverse backgrounds, a lot of our concerns for our futures and the world are centered around the same principles. Even in our differences, there are similarities.
MB: I spoke with another delegate who traveled to the Netherlands from, I believe, Tajikistan. In his thick Russian accent, he detailed his life back home and I must say, as cheesy as it sounds, I’m proud to be an American. He explained how in high school he shot military guns and threw grenades in gym class, because of his country’s constant war troubles. He went on to say that if he ever got in trouble in high school he had to carry a landmine over his head as a form of punishment. He told me how lucky I was to have access to books and to own a car for such things were hard to attain in his country. He went on about how in America the teachers care about their students, unlike in his country where one could miss weeks of class and teachers not bat an eyelash. I learned much more during those few days I spent with than the conference could ever try to teach me. Hearing about the troubles of his land from him made it even more real. However, despite his rough exterior, cold eyes, and thick accent, he wasn’t the mean, angry man one would think. He was a brother. He was a son. He was a man. He was a person.