Club Spotlight: Model UN

Candice Medina, a Class of 2021 Psychology major at the College of Arts and Science on the premedical track, never considered herself a debater. She jokes that she joined the club almost by accident. “I was an eager first year who signed up for anything and everything. Never would I have imagined that a club would mean so much to me.”

Now Model UN’s vice president, Candice credits it with transforming her university experience. “Of course, I’m proud of what we do as an organization, but it’s the community that means so much to me,” she says. “I have learned so much about important topics I would have otherwise never delved into.”

In the city where the United Nations is headquartered, Model UN members learn its ins and outs. They have the chance to role-play as UN delegates and debate global issues. The focus is not on “winning” debates but reaching agreements through diplomacy.

“At our core we are a debate club, but we offer so much more,” Candice says. “We educate, discuss topics both old, new, and hypothetical, get you thinking, and challenge what you may have previously believed.” Topics might range from the Pentagon Papers to Black Panther. “Everyone you meet will know something you don’t; they’ll have a different perspective. We provide a safe space to bring these people together.”

That requires drawing on varied talents. “You don’t have to be a politics or international relations student to get involved, and you don’t have to enjoy debate,” says Candice. Model UN welcomes students with diverse backgrounds—including law, history, language arts, and film production.

Beyond debating, members can conduct research, fill leadership positions, and staff conferences. The group hosts two conferences yearly—one in the fall for high schoolers and one in the spring for college students. They also send a team to compete on the national conference circuit against other colleges.

If that all seems like a lot, Candice recommends that newbies find their footing through Model UN’s mentorship program, where they’re paired with an upperclass student. She also believes staffing a conference is the best way to jump in. “Conferences are a lot of fun and are at the core of what we do,” she explains. “You really bond with your peers the most during conferences.” Apart from those events, members attend weekly general meetings to explore global topics. And through the United Nations Initiative, ambassadors and other UN guests visit to discuss world issues.