NMUN students Noah Maher and Katherine Calandro celebrate a win in Washington, D.C. as co-delegates for the University of Arkansas

Author: Katherine Calandro | Major: Business Economics | Semester: Fall 2022

This November I was given the opportunity to attend the National Model United Nations Conference in Washington, D.C. which included many undergraduate students from across the globe interested in finding solutions to real-world issues. My name is Katherine Calando, and I am an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas currently majoring in Economics at the Walton Honors College and earning a Psychology minor. National Model UN has given me the outlet to develop my research skills as well as networking abilities while still in college through a unique experience that is not offered at every university.

This conference was by far the highlight of my college experience because it provided me the opportunity to problem solve, network, and be a leader to a group of 140 peers all interested in a common goal: inclusive, effective solutions. This experience progressed my research skills and ability immensely. Not only was the preparation for the conference research extensive, but at the conference there were many times in which countries would not align with their traditional interests. Subsequently, this caused a lot of late-night research the night before the second day of the conference to be able to walk in confidently and ready to present other solutions those countries could agree upon. Additionally, this conference required a lot of preparation when it came to public speaking skills. During the conference I presented my countries perspective on the issue and the steps we felt was necessary going forward to solve it by giving a speech to 140 of my peers. This speech was an imperative time to capture the rooms attention and make my country one that other countries would want to work with for the rest of the conference.

Networking was also a major part of this conference in order to be successful. I was able to further elevate my networking and leadership skills by becoming a leader that others would want to work with, others would feel comfortable around, and also listen too when trying to organize working papers through the conference. I felt like this experience also boosted my confidence when I discussed certain matters with my peers. I was told by many peers that the research paper I submitted to the conference was one of the best they had ever read and that my leadership throughout the conference made them believe that this was my fifth conference experience. The support of my peers as well as from my team and co-delegate through the conference made me feel like the preparation I had done before the conference was sufficient in being successful. As a delegate for the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) me and my co-delegate were successful in being liked by our peers as the committee granted us an award at the end of the conference as Outstanding Delegates.

Not only am I proud of the work that my co-delegate and I did, but also the entire team. At the end of our conference both delegations the University of Arkansas was representing – China and North Korea – won the highest honor possible at the conference: Outstanding Delegation. If I was to give advice to anyone at the University of Arkansas, it would be to sign up for the Model UN program during their time at this university. It has caused me to grow so much in the last six months both personally and professionally, and I have met some of my closest friends through this program that come from all across the globe. In the future I plan on continuing my Undergraduate Mock Trial experience at the University of Arkansas as well as potentially be involved in another Model UN conference within the upcoming year. This experience is one that I will forever be thankful for and am extremely appreciative of the university’s support in achieving my goals.