My FIRST MUN

Learning outcomes achieved while doing the activity over a period of time:

1)      [√] Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth

2)      [√ ] Undertaken new challenges

3)      [  ] Planned and initiated activities

4)      [√ ] Work collaboratively with others

5)      [  ] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

6)      [√ ] Engaged with issues of global importance

7)      [√ ] Considered the ethical implications of their actions

8)      [  ] Developed new skills

Date: 12/October~14/October
Total MUNing time: 12th 11:30~18:00 (6 hours 30 minutes)
                                  13th 10:00~16:30 (6 hours 30 miutes)
                                  14th 10:00~17:30 (7 hours 30 minutes)

My First MUN

My secretive and honest account of my first MUN experience

Yes, I was part of MUN club previous year and I really liked the idea of MUN, but I never attended any. All the time there was something or the other that impeded me to experience real MUN. Also, I never thought I was prepared; and I always used to think that I am a bad public speaker. Although I wanted to get involved and admired those who attended and got award in MUN, it was just a dream for me.

When Ms. Julie told me about MUN in Pune, I first excitedly respond that I would join but soon or later when I saw mid-term and SAT coming up, I backed out as usual. I thought I would mess up all three if I would join in MUN.

It was only at the last moment (after my mid-term and SAT) that I decided to go to MUN. It was the last day of registration; everyone was telling me it would be a great chance. So, somehow it worked out, and by Thursday I was in train heading to Pune.

The next day, I went to UWC with my friends and teachers. The travel from Indus Pune to UWC was about 40 minutes journey though beautiful scenery and mountain. But I missed all that because I was so freaked out. Until the opening ceremony I was literally hiding behind the teachers because everybody seemed so confident and prepared- and I was not! I only got to know about the topic at the last moment. I was not prepared. I stared to panic. Throughout the entire opening ceremony, I was so tensed I could not hear what the speaker on the podium was talking about.

But when I entered my committee, the Security Council, with other students and started the meeting, I started to feel better and better. It was not as scary as I thought, students were not overwhelming as I imagined and the chairs were not harsh at all.(for those who don’t know about MUN, chairs are basically those who monitor the committee) As I became more involved, I got to know about the participants, I ate lunch with them and enthusiastically talked about issue at hand. The classroom (I still remember. It was class A4) which I was so scared to enter on the first day, became my home for the rest of the MUN.

It was truly amazing experience. Just amazing. Although I did not make major contribution in the issue that was dealt with in the committee, although I did not win an award, I learnt a lot from the experience. And I enjoyed it. It was amazing to be sitting at UWC, discussing the oil crisis thinking that we are in 2050, not in 2012. I felt each and every word that I spoke were crucial since I was representing one country and ultimately the whole country is going to get affected by my one word. It was wonderful to become diplomat of UK, and not Bora in 12^th who is burdened by IB impending work. I feel it was a pivotal step for my dream especially because my dream is to become a diplomat/ambassador of Korea.

I am content that I went to UWC for MUN. There was OakMUN happening at the same time in Hyderabad but I am happy that my effort of travelling to Pune paid off because I did not only had amazing experience of MUN, but the school and students there gave me completely different perspective about IB and education. Everywhere I went, I learnt new things, I saw new things and I experienced things that were unforgettable.

I thank my school for giving me such a wonderful experience, I thank my teachers, Ms. Julie who encouraged me and lent her pretty clothes to wear in MUN, and also Mr. Prakash, Ms. Pratibha who encouraged and accompanied all of us to the MUN and ensured everything go just well, and my friends, who became part of my wonderful memory. I cannot miss out on my parents who supported my idea and aided me financially, and all the students that I have met in UWC who are in still contact with me even after MUN.   

My experience in MUN in UWC can be summarized into three words- I LOVED IT.

remote learning center :(

05/09/2012
02:00~03:00 (1hour)

teaching in Janawada was cancelled since it was teachers day and one of the teachers in the school was selected as influential teacher and all the students had to go somewhere for celebration.
Therefore, Janawada Oosati teaching groups had to go to remote learning centre where others students are working on.

To be honest, I was frustrated because I felt that I was not being productive.
with my students in Janawada, I know them, I have taught them for a long period of time, I know what they are capable of and not capable of. I have a concrete curriculum and lesson to follow.
but, in this remote learning centre, I and my friend Harsha, (and later Venkat) were given four students, from grade 4. I was given a worksheet and was asked to teach them. What...?
in one hour? It seemed they knew alphabet and pronounciation, but that was it. They were not so responsive and yes, I had my language barrier. I had to ask my friends to ask they whether they understood it or not, know certain words... etc.
I did try my best to do whatever i can with the worksheet that I was given, but at the end of the teaching, I thought I could have done so much in Janawada with the same period of time I was given.

I was just retrospecting when I was coming back home in the bus,
and thought that I should learn to be satisfied with small things as well as big ones. I can not go on to be a perfectionist.
And I think that also my emotion played major role in making me feel that way.
I was feeling really low for few days, thinking that I am not doing anything.. kind of rebuking myself of what I should have been doing.
I will have to think more along this line.

Second time -MUN cafe

Learning outcomes achieved while doing the activity over a period of time:

1)      [√] Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth

2)      [  ] Undertaken new challenges

3)      [   ] Planned and initiated activities

4)      [  ] Work collaboratively with others

5)      [√ ] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

6)      [√] Engaged with issues of global importance

7)      [√] Considered the ethical implications of their actions

8)      [  ] Developed new skills

Compared to the last MUN, I have not participated in discussion as much I did last time. I have researched, but there were several others who have researched a lot more than me. I was not part of permanent members of the Security Council, (by the way, I was Democratic Republic of Congo) my voice was ignored most of the time. Although I had researched and had things to speak about, I could not gather up the courage. I knew I could speak, and not very scared to speak, but for some reason, I just could not raise up my placard to draw attention.

Through the entire course of MUN, I have decided by myself that I will not let any other MUN be like this from next time. And since I will have MUN at school coming Tuesday at school MUN club, I decided put my best effort to do well in that MUN.

This time, I went to MUN café by myself. Grusha and my brother refused to come so I had to go all alone. However, I managed to make friends and spend time with them during break and lunch.  I think this session was to test myself. I got to know what I have done wrong and what I could do to improve myself.

 my friend Grusha talking! I am sitting next to her.

Giving speech infront of people...... presidential speech

A step forward -MUN cafe

Learning outcomes achieved while doing the activity over a period of time:

1)      [√] Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth

2)      [√] Undertaken new challenges

3)      [   ] Planned and initiated activities

4)      [√] Work collaboratively with others

5)      [   ] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

6)      [√] Engaged with issues of global importance

7)      [√] Considered the ethical implications of their actions

8)      [√] Developed new skills

I have been part of MUN (Model United Nations) in school club. But our school has one hour of club in a week so I did not really get a chance to know about MUN. I claimed to know about MUN, but I really did not know much. There were several actual, real MUN outside in the other schools, cities, and abroad but I could not go to any of them because I thought I did not know anything about MUN and needed more practice, MUNs were too expensive and parents refused due to long period of time I had to be away from home.

So when I heard from Grusha (my friend) about the MUNcafe opening in Hyderabad, I was half doubtful and excited as well. I had so much difficulty convincing my parents, but I got the consent and I was in the car with my brother on 31^st, Saturday morning. (my brother decided to come along.). When I arrived at the MUN café, the scariness overwhelmed me. Everyone seemed to be so much prepared for the discussion. Some were actively talking about their issues, laughing at jokes… etc. but I registered in the last minute and did not even know my country. Aliza, the chair gave me an organization I had to represent. CSUCS. WHAT? I haven’t heard of it. It was something like.. an organization that helps to stop the children in the arm conflicts. Oh my God. I was given few minutes to search about the organization. I was so scared. I would stammer and will not be able to say anything. Grusha kept comforting me that it is the first time, and I do not need to say anything if I don’t want to.

As Grusha expected, It was not very formal as many other MUNs, maybe because there was no fees or money that needed to be paid for, or because this was the first time to open MUN café to spread awareness. I came to know that more than half of the students were taking part in MUN for the first time, including me. As the MUN progressed I started to get used to the procedure. I raised my plank card to speak about my opinion in moderated caucus; I had a nice argument with the delegate of Libya on recent crisis (I condemned the government and asked for apology which he refused); I formed block with USA, UK, Philippines, Poland…etc during un-moderated caucus; we all talked about root cause of the child soldiering, ways to solve this problem and how; I received chits from other delegates... Wow, It was great. I think I have gained and learned more than I have expected.;

Ø  I gained confidence. I realized that I could speak in front of people. I was not scared to give them presidential speech on the crisis.

Ø  I learned the importance to know about histories of different countries and current issues.

Ø  I got the entire picture of the procedure and rules of MUNs

Ø  I made many friends. We were total strangers in the morning. But by the time the MUN was done, we shared our email ids asking each other to be in touch.

Ø  I discussed about children in arm conflict. I spent my time thinking about life of million children and how to help them instead of grudging on what I don’t have. I was proud of myself.

Ø  I gained broader perspective to look at situations. Instead of thinking of “I”, the individual, I was pondering on the crisis as the head of the organization, who represents entire crew in the organization.

Ø  I am now willing to go to other MUN. OakMUN (Oakridge MUN), HMUN (Harvard MUN) is approaching. I am now seriously considering to take part in them.

Water, the essential

Learning outcomes achieved while doing the activity over a period of time:

1)      [  ] Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth

2)      [√] Undertaken new challenges

3)      [√] Planned and initiated activities

4)      [√] Work collaboratively with others

5)      [√] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

6)      [√] Engaged with issues of global importance

7)      [√] Considered the ethical implications of their actions

8)      [  ] Developed new skills

On early morning of 29^th of October 2011, (28^th of October very late night) 28 students of grade 11 and two teachers, Mr. Banerjee and Ms. Pratibha, boarded on airplane heading towards Mumbai. While heading to Mumbai, I was excited about the idea that I will be camping with my friends, but at the same time I was anxious whether or not this would be a fruitful trip.

The first day, we all went to the beach in Mumbai for dragon boat and kayaking. Dragon boat required teamwork and I learned that if everybody works together with one goal, with proper direction, the task can be achieved.

We had to travel about three hours to reach the outskirt of Mumbai. 30^th and 31^th of October, we all worked vigorously to make a dam for people living in the area. The water stagnant behind the dam was being used for all purpose except drinking. Over 150,000 people were dependent on this water source. There was a dam made few years ago but most part of it was damaged and it could not store up the water for a long period of time. People had to suffer, because monsoon lasted for one or two months in entire year and the dam could not hold water for longer period. For 6 months a year, people had to live in threat of lacking of water.

The work was really challenging. First, rocks on the bed of the river had to be removed in order to make the ground more stable. Mud had to be shoveled and put into tubs. The mud then was put into sacs which were stitched and carried to the river where it was laid down to prevent flow of water. It looks really simple, but only the ones who have done the work know how much of physical and mental strength is required to bring this into reality. My back ached so much after shoveling the mud and putting them into the baskets. After shoveling half an hour, I could not stand straight. And the tubs were very heavy; two people had to carry it together. And it required a lot of concentration to put mud into the sacs, and making sure mud is not wasted. There was certain technique to stitch, and by end of the day, I had blister on my fingers due to pulling and pushing needles in and out of the mud sacs. The boys carried the sacs because they were simply way too heavy for girls to even lift them up from the ground. Instead, girls carried tub full of mud on our heads to the river. I had never done it in my life and I am sure I would never have done it if I did not go to the trip. I felt like collapsing on the ground. I never thought how heavy it would be when I saw workers doing the same thing. But now, after experiencing and being in the same situation, I can feel how much of pain they must be going through every day.

It was a special memory in my life. I cannot forget the moment when the construction of dam was done and I hugged my friends in happiness. I felt happier than I bought a nice cloth, I felt happier than going to a famous restaurant and indulge myself in favourite dishes. The thought that I gave people hope to live, the fact that every effort of mind would help people to survive for at least two years made me feel I had done something, something which worth a lot.

I thank my school and teachers who accompanied us that gave me opportunity to have such special experience and helped me to learn so many things I could not learn in the classroom. I realized I can also do things that give positive impact on other people’s lives.

evidence:

website to refer-

http://www.jalvardhini.org/vanarai-bandhara.php

carrying soil on my head like one of girls in the village ^^ (it was really hot)

stitching bags--

dam being constructed!!

Leadership camp

Learning outcomes achieved while doing the activity over a period of time:

1)      [√] Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth

2)      [√] Undertaken new challenges

3)      [√] Planned and initiated activities

4)      [√] Work collaboratively with others

5)      [√] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

6)      [  ] Engaged with issues of global importance

7)      [  ] Considered the ethical implications of their actions

8)      [  ] Developed new skills

In ‘Introductory session’, I learnt:

ü  To be observant to people around me

ü  Ability to point out positive instead of negative

ü  That everyone have their own uniqueness

In ‘Juggling bean bags’, I learnt:

ü  To adapt to changes

ü  The importance of listening during team working

ü  The importance of planning

ü  To see things from others’ point of view

In ‘Acid River’ activity, I learnt:

ü  To engage members who are not interested

ü  Importance of working together

ü  That I cannot leave any of my team members behind

ü  Importance of cooperation and communication

In ‘centipede-walking’ activity, I learnt:

ü  The importance of cooperation and how difficult team work becomes even if single member lose concentration or interest

ü  Importance of having direction set out for the members to follow

ü  Need of effective communication

In ‘crate building’ activity, I learnt:

ü  To manage limited time

ü  The importance of planning beforehand and coming up with ideas

ü  To take nothing for granted

ü  Importance of creativity

ü  The happiness that comes from achieving goal

In ‘Challenge tower’, I leant:

ü  To see things from others’ point of view

ü  The importance of doing things everyday

ü  Fun activity can become dangerous without listening to instructions

ü  To encourage each other

In ‘mountain climbing’, I learnt:

ü  The importance of exercising everyday

ü  The importance of water

ü  The crucial role that nature has one our lives

In ‘Group dance and song’, I learnt:

ü  To be patient

ü  To work with members who are not interested in the activity

ü  To control my anger

ü  To be creative

ü  To be bold and confident on our ideas although it might seem absurd

In ‘Paint ball’, I learnt:

ü  To be alert

ü  To know my team members’ position

ü  To listen carefully what is going on around me

ü  The importance of listening to instructions

Ice Breaker

Learning outcomes achieved while doing the activity over a period of time:

1)      [  ] Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth

2)      [√] Undertaken new challenges

3)      [  ] Planned and initiated activities

4)      [√] Work collaboratively with others

5)      [√] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

6)      [  ] Engaged with issues of global importance

7)      [   ] Considered the ethical implications of their actions

8)      [   ] Developed new skills

I was excited at the beginning in the bus by the thought that I will be staying in the camp site with my friends… Until there was puncture in the bus and we had difficulty reaching the campsite.

Yes, to be honest, I did not have distinct objective to achieve in the camp. I was on the bus with my friends heading towards the ‘Trails’ because the IB coordinator said that it was compulsory. I did not have much of expectation.

To the contrary, I loved all the activities. Some of them were challenging, and mostly they all needed teamwork. I had to encourage others to overcome fear of going up for rock climbing and zip lining. I found out that the work becomes much easier and enjoyable when I do it with others who is equally enthusiastic. Being together with friends itself made a beautiful memory. I was happy to know that there were my teammates supporting me from behind. The feeling that I am not alone, made me feel that I could go through the IB course, whatever it is, however challenging it might be.

I got to know about my classmates much better, about their weaknesses and strengths, their characteristics, what they like to do. By the end of the camp, I realized how close we became compared to the first day of our school.

I also got to know the motivation behind the school sent us to the camp; to be a support to one another.

I thank the school and my friends. I learned much more about life than I did in the classrooms.

Hola, Caballo!

Learning outcomes achieved while doing the activity over a period of time:

1)      [√] Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas of growth

2)      [√] Undertaken new challenges

3)      [  ] Planned and initiated activities

4)      [  ] Work collaboratively with others

5)      [√] Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

6)      [  ] Engaged with issues of global importance

7)      [  ] Considered the ethical implications of their actions

8)      [√] Developed new skills

I went to “Hyderabad Polo & Riding Club”- Sy.No. 177, Aziz Nagar Village, Gandipet, Hyderabad., R. R. District- in month of June and July of 2011 (between 23^rd of June 2011 and 23^rd of July 2011). First three to four classes were spent just riding the horse for an hour. I had to practice lifting my hips up and down in preparation for trotting. By fifth class I received whip and I was taught how to use it. I was constantly reminded to hold bridle tight and attach my lower body to the horse. Posture was really important. Also I acquired knowledge about how to deal with horses, for instance, cautions needed while mounting on the horse back and getting down or moving around the horses. I learnt how to direct horses left and right. When I first went on trotting, I felt the course would be difficult. I kept bumping and had no idea how to deal with the horse. Due to wrong position of my fingers on the bridle, I got blisters on both hands, and my thighs used to hurt a lot. But more and more rounds I did, I got used to riding horse, I acquire know-how of riding a horse. By tenth session, I was really comfortable with a horse, and I could ride horse holding bridle with only one hand. I have learned a lot, and I was happy to find something new that I could enjoy.  I also learned the importance of encouragement. I went to the riding club along with my father and my younger brother. We used to encourage each other and tell different know-how we acquired. Sharing different experiences on that day while coming back in the car remains as beautiful memory as well. By doing activity together, we understood each other,- by the way, all three of us got blisters – had something in common to start off conversations.

There were difficulties I had encountered during the project, for instance, being forced to wait even though I have arrived at exact time (which happens in India most of the time-no offence). I have learned to be patient through series of experiences. But one of the most important things I would like to stress upon, is to listen to others carefully and act accordingly. Once, after getting down the horse, I passed the horse from the back. I was reprimanded harshly, because I could have gotten myself killed. Instructor told me before (or I read it while researching) that horse kicks whatever is behind it and indeed a number of riders were injured due to the horses’ habit.

I was not very content with the teachers and instructors, because they did not give us enough information of how to deal with the horse. I was just pushed on the field to learn most of the thing. And also, although I perfectly learned trotting and walking, I am not confident whether I will be able to direct a horse. There was always leading horse for my horse to follow. But other than that, I had amazing experience.

evidence:

This was the card I had to sign on whenever I went to the club. Instructors used to keep bunch of cards. I had to find mine and signed in my name with the date before going to the field to ride a horse.

This is how it looks like from inside.

These photos are further evidences of the project. I am riding the horse in the photos.