By Natalia Castiblanco (7th semester FIGRI student, Interculturality
elective)
It was Friday, April 28 when I set foot for the first
time in Universidad del Bosque, headquarters of the 2017 version of COLMUN
(United Nations Model of Colombia). Little did I know that it would be the
beginning of a crazy yet fascinating process I adore even today. However,
United Nations Models are no fairy tale, and the culture shock will inevitably
get to you.
The training
The preparation started in February 2017,
approximately three months before the real model, and included earning the
actual quota to participate in it. Once I was part of the attending delegation,
I started talking to a lot of people —including students and professors,
reading thousands of articles written by the NGO/press agent I was representing
(The Cato Institute) and thinking about all the possible scenarios in which The
Cato could get involved. The most entertaining part was attempting to think
like The Cato, trying to give advice, talk and write just as if I was one of
their executive writers.
Throughout this entire process, it was as though I had
to forget about Natalia Castiblanco. That is how I understood one of the main
products of the MUN world: delegates instead of people.
The dress code and the parliamentary procedure
My comprehension of this phenomena got deeper when the
model started, on Saturday —which is usually the longest and toughest day. I
was meant to arrive 30 minutes early, dress according to a very specific code
and speak as stated in the COLMUN handbook (which I had already read). The
handling of all these MUN practices was not always a dreamy experience; on the
first day, I forgot my name tag, which not only identified me during the entire
model but was my main resource to communicate during committee sessions. That
day, I had to go back home and bring it back with me… Obviously, that took a
while and I arrived late to my first press release - so convenient, right?
The fellowship
After two full work days, Sunday night was designated
to host the MET Gala Ball (the official COLMUN party). Even though I was not
really in the mood to attend it, my entire delegation gave some details about
it and my conclusion is: partying in the MUN world is a mixture between the
Latin Grammys and the Project X movie. That means fancy clothing, lots of
pictures and tons of cheap alcohol… A charming experience for every 20 year old,
but surely not for an introvert trying to survive their first MUN.
What warmed my heart during those four intense days
wasn’t the understanding of my colleagues during Sunday night, but the entire
model. Three days before COLMUN 2017 began, my brother was diagnosed with
severe depression and hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic in Bogotá. The
silence and sadness that surrounded my heart during those days was overcome by
all the love and support from my entire delegation, especially from my directive
board of the moment… Then, I understood the meaning of the fellowship
perspective of the MUN world.
The awards
Less expected than ever, I won the ‘outstanding
delegate’ award from among my entire committee. The feeling of walking down the
hall with a full auditorium with their eyes on me was overwhelming, but in the
end, it truly pleased me. The personal growth I accomplished during COLMUN is
just impossible to really tell, so, for those of you who are doubting whether
to attend one of these enigmatic models or not: go ahead! Doing it will change
your world.
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