Prompt: Tell us about an intellectual experience, either directly
related to your schoolwork or not, that you found particularly meaningful.
Every year,
the Model UN committee, which I’ve attended for the past few years, holds a
five-day simulation for the freshman class, aptly named “FreshMUN.” It was my
junior year, and with three successful conferences under my belt, I thought
that it might be fun to volunteer to run one. Of course, I was nervous, but
soon I was reassured when I found out that I was to be chairing alongside a
four-year veteran of the club. However, when that person revealed to me that
they could help for only one of the five days, my nerves returned in full
force.
After I presented the basic procedure to the class
the first day, the committee took up the problem of
Ukraine on day two. As I threw on a tie and a formal shirt before the
start of the simulation, images of a committee gone awry flashed
through my mind. But when I hurried into the
room, I saw fifteen students, looking at me not with scorn or dismissal, but
instead with respect and hope.
What followed over the next four days was one of the most fascinating and
entertaining intellectual experiences of my life. I encouraged a dynamic,
creative parliamentary process, acting as both chair and peer. Notes and
speeches flew through the air, and before I knew it, things were happening that I never could have foreseen.
It was absolutely thrilling to motivate students to successfully act like model delegates, and
to see them enjoy doing it. At the conclusion of the session, as I rushed out
of the door to make my next class, a rousing chorus of “Thank you” slipped
through the half-closed door. Although I appreciated their kind words, I knew
that it was them I should be thanking, as it was those students, with their
wit, knowledge, and passion that helped create one of my most memorable
intellectual experiences.
No comments:
Post a Comment