Tell me about Model UN

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader is trying this activity as an after-school club this year, and just came back from a Model UN conference. He reported feeling anxious (first time away from home without parents!), but found it interesting and is eager to continue.

I admit I haven't followed closely what he was doing, and also found the trip expensive: $300 for two nights away, plus we had to get him "business attire", travel necessities, a suitcase, etc. He also had to take a chunk of time to research and prepare.

I would appreciate your opinions and insight regarding this activity, especially going into high school.

[Anonymous]

My DC participated in Model UN in HS - it was a great activity and the conferences/competitions were well organized. She learned a lot through the case studies and interactions. Many very accomplished and outgoing students participate and take it seriously so she made a lot of interesting and fun friends too. Conference attendance requires a decent amount of research and preparation. Position papers need to be written prior to the events and the kids that are into it are really into it - so preparation is necessary or you will let down your team, or won't get to do much. She loved the overnight events and being on a competitive team.

[Anonymous]

Which middle school has a Model UN team? Cool!

[Anonymous]

I think my kid went to the same conference. I think Model UN is great, and kids can get a lot out of it, but, from what I heard, it seemed to me like just too much for middle schoolers. They were four to a room so didn't really sleep, the activities apparently ran from 7 a.m. until after 10 p.m., and the kids came home just totally shot. Then back to school on Monday, with assignments to be made up from the missed day at school. I think it's cool that middle schoolers have more options than we did at their age, but I don't know why everything has to be SO ramped up. It sounded like something college kids would do, not 11-13 year olds.

[Anonymous]

I did MetMUNC in high school all four years and LOVED it! So much fun!

It was right as I was finding my way in arguing logically and right as I was getting interested in the news, and I was surrounded by these smart kids from all over - it was blowing my world wide open.

We were a host family four years in a row, and when I traveled I stayed at host families homes (strangers). Sometimes the accommodations were better than other times (living room floor vs guest room bed) but whatever.

[Anonymous]

I think Model UN is a good chance for kids to spread their wings but it's not much more than that. I don't really think 8th graders need to be going though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think my kid went to the same conference. I think Model UN is great, and kids can get a lot out of it, but, from what I heard, it seemed to me like just too much for middle schoolers. They were four to a room so didn't really sleep, the activities apparently ran from 7 a.m. until after 10 p.m., and the kids came home just totally shot. Then back to school on Monday, with assignments to be made up from the missed day at school. I think it's cool that middle schoolers have more options than we did at their age, but I don't know why everything has to be SO ramped up. It sounded like something college kids would do, not 11-13 year olds.

Omg college kids? My 8th grade son has been doing model un since 6th grade without issue, he loves it. My oldest is a sophomore and will be an officer next year, has had a great time doing it over the years. It is a lot of work so not for anyone just looking for something to do. My rising 6th grader plans to join next year.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone happen to know if they have Model UN at Thoreau MS or Madison HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone happen to know if they have Model UN at Thoreau MS or Madison HS?

Don't know about Thoreau, but Madison has Model UN - most NOVA high schools do have a club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Which middle school has a Model UN team? Cool!

Cooper MS. Probably others as well.

[Anonymous]

We are in the Boston area but my son’s middle school offers ModelUN. Only day long conferences. Yes, requires advance prep but doesn’t seem too onerous so far.

[Anonymous]

Bumping an old thread for a basic question, but - what does one /do/ at Model UN? My daughter really enjoys geography and being aware of different cultures - is this a potential good fit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping an old thread for a basic question, but - what does one /do/ at Model UN? My daughter really enjoys geography and being aware of different cultures - is this a potential good fit?

My DD MUN all through high school at conferences hosted by colleges all over the East Coast. Coming from a small town it was a great way for her to meet smart, interesting kids from all over the country and really see a much bigger world than the walls of her high school. It’s a competitive activity and the further along you get the more it’s about learning the rules of the game. It’s really not about other countries and cultural awareness though, it’s much more policy focused and requires a fair amount of assertiveness to be successful at the conferences. The best way I can describe it is that she also was very involved in debate and theater, and model UN was a place where she used skills from both of those activities and did very well.

[Anonymous]

Ah - that's great insight. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I did this in high school! LOVED IT! It's so much fun. You represent a country, study their policies, and then go into debates with other kids from other schools representing other countries. SO MUCH FUN!