Author: Katherine Ford | Major: Accounting | Semester: Fall 2024

Walton Honors for Life!

The success of the 2024 Model UN Conference in the Galapagos Islands was remarkable and fulfilling. To frolic through the San Cristobal Island alongside sea lions, all the while developing innovative and intentional resolutions regarding some of the world’s most pressing issues, is a scenario few are privileged to experience. This fall semester, I had the honor of representing Japan in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Our conference took place over Thanksgiving break. My learning experience was deeply enriching, but it was only made possible by the thorough preparation and foundation built throughout the entire semester. Thanks to Dr. Stapp and his tedious teachings, the group was adequately prepared and ready to perform.

I had high expectations for Model United Nations, shaped by the esteemed reputation of the program. I knew that this experience would be none like I had ever experienced. Although I anticipated the challenges it would bring, I was excited to broaden my perspectives and take a bold leap into the experience. Specifically, I wished to deepen my research and writing skills, get more comfortable with speaking extemporaneously, and pursue a country in which I had no prior knowledge.

Our time at the conference was brief, lasting just three days. The experience was both intense and rewarding. After the first day, I felt a great wave of relief. My particular committee was relatively small, which allowed for efficient and fluid communication. It was a full-circle moment to apply all of the research, writing, and public speaking that we had rehearsed since August. From the conference, I learned that leadership manifests in diverse forms. Everyone has a different version of “leadership” according to their personal moral compass. Some individuals thrive by taking charge and asserting their presence, while others excel in the quieter, often overlooked tasks of editing and brainstorming. While I had already developed a clear understanding of my own leadership style prior to the conference, this experience furthersolidified it: I flourish by serving others and prioritizing the collective needs of the group over my own. I found that my true confidence came from listening to the ideas of others, translating those ideas onto paper, and being an overall team player. Candidly, I had felt a bit of anxiousness and pressure to dominate and assert myself into the group. As it played out, however, I came to find that I was doing enough simply by being myself.

This conference certainly taught me patience. We had the opportunity to work with a plethora of people, all with different back stories, beliefs, and even native languages. This diversity inherently led to the need for grace and composure. Most importantly, this conference taught me self-awareness. I had to be in tune with both the obvious and subtle dynamics of the group– including when people were frustrated, annoyed, or wished to say something more. I had to not only be cognizant of how I was feeling, but also how my personality fit into the greater picture of the group. This taught me to be strategic and proactive. Furthermore, I discovered that success is often rooted in leading with kindness. In formal environments like these, it’s easy to lose sight of the human element or feel compelled to adopt a competitive persona. While everyone arrives at the conference with the aim to excel and hopefully win awards, at its heart, Model UN is a gathering of people. It requires humility, authenticity, and compassion. I quickly realized that my greatest strength lay in my ability to foster relationships. Instead of focusing solely on proposals, Sustainable Development Goals, or UN Resolutions, I made a conscious effort to integrate personal topics into my interactions. This not only made the experience more enjoyable, but it also encouraged others to collaborate more readily with me, fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect and cooperation. My peers could recognize that I cared about more than just the task at hand, but I cared about their well-being.

Lastly, this conference and semester taught me to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. At nearly every point in time, I was faced with a choice: I could play it safe, or I could boldly put myself out there. I am proud to say I always chose the latter. Without discomfort, there is complacency. Complacency has no room at Model UN. For if you fall intothe trap of complacency, you truly miss your opportunity to speak and shine. I am grateful for this experience, for it taught me to silence the butterflies in my stomach or looming feelings of second-guessing and self-doubt. Taking leaps of faith was the best thing I was able to do for myself. As I reflect on my journey since August, I am truly amazed by the transformation I have undergone. The person I was then feels distant from the person I am now. Upon my entrance into Model United Nations, I had a personal desire to further my research and writing skills, build resilience through a semester-long project, and engage in thoughtful, meaningful discussions at the conference. I was grateful to receive recognition as Outstanding Delegate, an award I was absolutely honored and humbled by. In addition, I was appreciative to receive Outstanding Delegation alongside my other three peers that represented Japan. These accolades were a testament to the dedication and perseverance we invested throughout the semester. However, the true source of my satisfaction was not in the awards themselves. My satisfaction came from the friendships forged, the laughter shared, and the personal growth I experienced along the way. I will forever be indebted to Dr. Stapp and Model United Nations for this incredible experience, as well as the Honors College for giving me the funds and support to do so.