Students from around the U.S. and countries such as China, Germany and Greece attended an annual Model UN conference at the University of Chicago on Feb. 5-8. Seniors Emi Stone and Neel Sabarwal represented Jamaica and earned a verbal commendation, which is an award that recognizes their leadership and communication during the conference.
Sabarwal said he viewed the conference as a way for students to get out of the Kansas bubble. Similarly, Stone said it was a way to understand various cultural perspectives, but that it also presented a challenge.
“Getting the award … was really difficult,” Stone said. “It was nice to see all our hard work pay off.”
While competing in the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Committee within the Social and Economic Council, Sabarwal said that he and Stone had to utilize their leadership skills.
“We organized where everyone was going to work and what our sections would be,” Sabarwal said.
Stone said the dais, a group of UChicago college student judges, had positive feedback on the way they took command. In addition, Sabarwal said their off-paper personability was a leading factor in winning their verbal commendation.
“We really stood out in [moderated caucuses], which is when you’re not formally debating, so [the judges] are not really moderating,” Sabarwal said. “You can go and just talk to people.”
Even as a first-year member, junior NJ Inrungu said that she was able to socialize with new people.
“I met really great friends, and even if we won’t be best friends … those connections are really meaningful in life,” Inrungu said.
While the other students were friendly and efficient on paper, Sabarwal said that they overlooked another vital aspect of being excellent delegates.
“A lot of people just want to get up there and give their speeches,” Sabarwal said. “They think that’s enough, but those moments where you’re bringing others together [are] important.”
Stone said everyone in their committee was extremely competitive, so it was fulfilling to be recognized for conducting themselves in such a professional way.
“We were really happy to get an award … since on paper, we definitely made mistakes,” Stone said.
She said collaboration and the merging of skills with your partner can be a hard balance to find. Noticing a disconnect, Stone said the dais deducted points because Neel did both of their Q&As rather than doing one each.
“You have to be a team,” Stone said. “You can’t let your partner carry you.”
She said the dais kept rooting for this Free State duo in spite of the few bumps they had along the way. Spanish teacher and Model UN Adviser Paul Rosen said he was able to see Emi and Neel improve their writing, collaboration, speaking, critical thinking and debate skills through the years.
Portraying this desire to improve, Stone said that going into the competition focused would have made a difference. Echoing this sentiment, Sabarwal said being faster to start would have bumped them up a notch.
“I wish both of us kind of got our heads in the game 100% earlier,” Stone said.
Despite the occasional adversity, Sabarwal said that participating in Model UN has taught him valuable techniques he can apply in his social life.
“Being able to manage voices and get your ideas and other people’s ideas across is the biggest lesson that I’ve learned,” Sabarwal said.
Other than social benefits, Stone said that she has seen personal growth while in Model UN.
“I feel as if I really connected with my friends and I got to establish a sense of identity,” Stone said.
As a people person, she said she was glad to have a partner who worked well on the paper components, such as their position paper.
“Our very diverse skills really come together nicely … I was lucky to have him alongside me,” Stone said.
