Reflection: HAISMUN

During summer, I joined Hais (High school Association of International Studies) MUN, as a delegate of South Africa in economic and social council. I planned to join HAIS MUN in order to experience MUN in Korea. Though I did not experience or learn anything about MUN before, I just wanted to try out how it goes and to check if I am brave enough to enroll as one of the delegates and present my country's stance in front of many other Korean students. I was very nervous because it was my first time to join the model UN, and I did not know any of it. Also, I was worried about the Korean students, who are well known to be very smart and logical. To join them, I researched about the agenda over and over, and prepared for the conference as if it was a real UN conference.

When the conference started, I delivered my opening speech to the students, but I was so nervous that I did not fully presented what I prepared. It was first experience in my life, to go in front of the students whom I've never met, and speak through the microphone about my opinion. Though I did not perfect it, it was still a thrilling experience. Then, when writing a resolution, I went to the country that had the closest stance, and suggested to write the resolution together. As a group, 7 of us successfully wrote the resolution that had contained all solutions that we drew out, and were able to submit it to the chair. Although I was not the leading one, I still spoke out and tried my best to help the group.

It is true that I did not stand up as the delegate who participated a lot during the conference, still, I tried to join the group and shared my opinion. I learned the format of MUN and thought that I would do better if I had researched more about the agenda, and wrote the resolution before coming to the conference. Also, I learned that in order to deliver my stance to the others, I need to speak out clearly and thoroughly, which had been my weak parts in speaking English. Through the experience of attending Hais MUN, I think I somewhat gained confidence. This conference allowed me to experience something new, that I haven't even thought to try out before.