To better understand the influence that politics has on every aspect of our lives today, a group of PC students dipped their toes into the world of global relations.
In November, a group of Presbyterian College students traveled to Atlanta to participate in the Southern Region Model United Nations (SRMUN), where they had the opportunity to collaborate with other collegiate students to deepen their understanding of global relations and issues.
The group performed with the intent to build on past SRMUN conferences, where PC’s delegates have previously earned honors such as “Best Delegate” and “Best Position Paper.”
Many of this year’s participants were first-time delegates, but that didn’t interfere with their commitment to representing PC and maintaining high standards set by previous groups.
Jackson Higgs, a freshman from Walhalla, said he enjoyed the opportunity to meet other students from the southeast who are as passionate about making the world a better place as he is.
Brennan Carroll, a freshman from Laurens, reflected on his experience at SRMUN in Atlanta, comparing it with his experiences in high school.
“High school Model U.N. doesn’t compare at all to SRMUN with how much one has to engage in negotiation and politics,” he said. “It was a huge challenge throughout my time there, but it was all worth it to see the fruits of my labor when I looked at those approved resolutions.”
For experienced delegates, the conference presented an opportunity to take on new roles and face new challenges.
“I worked as a diplomat for my assigned country, Japan, to write and pass legislation in favor of my country,” said Becca King, a junior from Clinton. “A major highlight for me was stepping up in the conference as a leader for a paper I helped write that eventually got passed in the committee.”
At PC, the Model U.N. is offered as a three-credit hour course, equipping students with a thorough understanding of diplomacy, global issues, parliamentary procedure, and more.
Being involved with Model U.N. has helped me become a stronger critical thinker, especially when it comes to analyzing complex problems from multiple perspectives. It has taught me to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of those I work with and how to collaborate in a way that maximizes everyone’s abilities.”
Alex Melgar, Junior
Alex Melgar, a junior from Lancaster, said being involved with Model U.N in its various capacities over the years has been a great opportunity for personal growth.
“Being involved with Model U.N. has helped me become a stronger critical thinker, especially when it comes to analyzing complex problems from multiple perspectives,” said Melgar. “It has taught me to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of those I work with and how to collaborate in a way that maximizes everyone’s abilities.”
For King, participating in Model U.N. has been a great reminder of her capabilities.
‘It’s helped me stop underestimating my ability to talk with people, as well as reminded me of how much I love meeting new people,” she said.
For many students, Model U.N. introduces them to and helps them understand different lived experiences than their own which they may not be exposed to otherwise.
“I’d say that Model U.N. made me a more empathetic person, both through having to represent a country extremely different from my own, but also by conversing with people in a semi-professional setting with an objective in mind,” said Carroll.
Many students echoed the sentiment that their involvement with Model U.N. and attending SRMUN conferences has opened their eyes to different perspectives, a value that the political science department hopes is the key takeaway for every student.
