<p>MUN is the best. I think I enjoy it so much because it requires improv, quick thinking, and strategy. However, it really does get cut-throat -- especially in GA's. My school is pretty big on MUN, so I think they prepare us pretty well even though it's only a club.</p>
<p>I did Model UN for four years in high school and absolutely loved it. Going to conferences is an absolutely fantastic experience: you meet some truly interesting (albeit, rather nerdy) people, work on skills such as public speaking and negotiation, and learn about a variety of topics and national perspectives that you probably wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to had you not been involved with MUN. It is, as TheIndividual mentions in his/her post, rather cut throat on the GA committees; however, in the smaller ones (Specialized Agencies, Crisis, ECOSOC) it's much less so (and thus, more enjoyable).</p>
<p>So yes, I would HIGHLY recommend getting involved, particularly if you are someone who is interested in global issues and excels at or wishes to improve upon public speaking, debating, and negotiation.</p>
<p>Hmm, in my experience, GA was always kinda slacker-y where the most important things were "hot lists" rather than substantial debate. In Security Council and Historical Security Council, that's where stuff got really tough. It's nice to be in a much more intimate setting though; you really don't have to fight for debating time.</p>
<p>Nothing gets done it GA. My friends were East Germany in the Historical Security Council. I don't remember what year it was set in, though. That would have been WAY more interesting than GA.</p>
<p>I've actually had this white boy trying to pull off the WORST Indian accent I've ever heard in my entire life during some conference at UC Berkeley. There was also some kid faking a British accent, but that was for some psychological experiment.</p>
<p>MUN is a blast. My school is hosting a conference next year and I get to a chair of Security Council. Can't wait!</p>
<p>Man I wish there was MUN at my school....</p>
<p>Which conferences do you guys go to? My school only goes to AMUN</p>
<p>MUN is God's gift to kids</p>
<p>I second. Model UN was quite possibly the greatest high-school experience one could have. Your goal is to pass a comprehensive resolution on at least one of the two topics available. Delegates are assigned to various commitees, who then receive copies of 2 important topics. You then, as a committee, chose which to consider. Then, you have to coordinate with delegates (mostly behind the scenes) to draft a resolution. There is student newspaper coverage ('I was cited in one of the articles), and the suspense on the floor is really quite amazing. Pages are constantly bringing back messages, and delegates have to prepare concise speeches, often on 30sec notice. The Resoulution is then, hopefully accepted and implemented. Debate and discussion continue until well into the night (every night). Our topic was the World Band's SAP programs in Western Africa. Computer services constantly brought on the spot research if you needed data, and we must have asked for 100s of stats. We had such an incredible debate, that I went on to write my honors thesis (I'm working on it now) on the subject. I credit Model UN for getting me excited about Development Economics.</p>
<p>We go to the University of Chicago's conference at the Palmer House.</p>