Relationships at MUN:

By Jen Wang

On the second day of the conference, participants of THIMUN-Singapore III arrive smiling, despite the early wake-up calls and glaring morning sun. Students arrive on buses with their schoolmates, but as they hurry delightedly to their forums, they are often reunited with friends and colleagues from previous sessions.Every year, thousands of students worldwide participate in various MUN conferences, which inevitably leads to forming new friendships. Over the few days of the conference, participants of THIMUN-Singapore III meet students from different schools and work together collaboratively, through the cooperative nature of Model United Nations, leading to a successful conference. Seasoned participants make new acquaintances through lobbying and merging resolutions in their respective forums. Newcomers to THIMUN-Singapore come in hopes of meeting people from whom they can learn. “One of the main reasons I come to THIMUN is to meet new people who have good knowledge of topics,” said Kenneth Chew, the Delegate of the USA in GA4. Chew also expressed that, “Many delegates I have met are much older and wiser than I.” Officers and chairs get to know each other when they work together to make the conference run smoothly. However, some chairs think it’s easier to get to know the delegates. “You feel more relaxed, and you don’t need to be someone they look up to and respect,” admitted Gayatri Bahadur, chair of GA2, “though it would be nice if they did.” Last but definitely not least, press members work together on articles as reporters, editors, photographers, artists and page layout staff. “Most reporters make friends through the discussion of their articles, but I made my friends by providing printing services for the reporters,” Jason Cheng, co-editor of Munity-East, sheepishly admitted. In all aspects, MUN really is a team endeavor. However, for many veteran participants at THIMUN-Singapore, the chance to return to this conference means seeing friends they met at last year’s THIMUN-Singapore or other conferences such as THIMUN the Hague, BEIMUN, and IASAS. Between old friends, conversations fly, trying to catch up on what has happened in a year’s time. Being a veteran also means that there are no longer so many first meetings. Jerome Tan, the Delegate of Belgium in Security Council says that it’s, “not awkward at all now because I know many of them from previous conferences.”After meeting in the conferences, students extend their meetings by hanging out and eating and shopping together after conference hours. During THIMUN-Singapore throngs of students converge around Orchard Road and Raffles Boulevard. Students use this opportunity to get to know their peers and better explore the exciting city of Singapore. The backdrop of dazzling lights that line the streets of Singapore at night creates a great atmosphere for a nice walk with that certain someone in your forum that you’ve had your eye on.The fact that THIMUN-Singapore is so diverse in the respect of representing different schools from different countries makes keeping in touch a bit difficult. However, popular web sites such as Facebook and MySpace are making it easier for participants here to stay in touch after returning to their homes. Other popular ways of keeping in touch include Skype, an internet-based phone service, which is free between users and relatively cheaper than a long-distance landline phone call. Cell phone services such as short messages are also convenient because they are cheaper than making a call, and most cell phone providers allow long-distance messaging. Long gone are the days when telephones and post mail dominated our connection abilities. A good way to make new friends at MUN is just to walk up to someone in your forum that you haven’t met and introduce yourself. Chances are, they’re also eager to meet new people, and now you are well on your way to becoming the most popular delegate in your forum. However, just in case you need any help with any of the above, refer to our handy MUN pick-up lines. These pick-up lines are best delivered in a French accent, but please, proceed with caution.
“You want to meet in the lobby and merge?”“I’m only waving my placard ‘cause you’re making me hot.”“I have no imMunity when it comes to you.”“Point of Personal Privilege: May I have the privilege of getting personal.”“The Delegate of Jamaica, ja-makin’-me crazy!”