New York Just As I Had Imagined

1. What did you think about New York/the US and the Model UN before the trip and how did your perceptions change?

It was just as I imagined.

2. What did you learn about American culture?

I had prior relations with American people and been interested forehand so nothing new really popped up. Except maybe that New Yorkers don’t like being slow.

3. What did you learn about The Chamber of Commerce and The Consulate General of Finland in New York and the Finnish Mission?

The Chamber of Commerce has a really good and important job of “taking a bit of Finland” to US and trying to make it shine. Their work sounds very interesting and perhaps teaches you so much. The Consulate General of Finland does the same thing that every other consulate does which is very cool too. Handling relations between countries professionally seems to be stunning.

4. Based on your visit to Prospect Heights International High School, how does the American school system differ from the Finnish?

Finnish schools and school system are much better than American. I like how we do mostly online and we have better relationships with teachers. To be honest, it was kind of sad that they had police in school.

 

5. What was the best sight during the journey and why?-

Looking down from the top floor of Empire State building during the night was like nothing else you could see. Hearing the sirens and feeling the wind on your skin. Stunned by the beauty of city structure and thinking of all those millions of people with millions of different stories. It has no match.

6. What was our favorite cultural experience (poetry slam, stand-up, musical) during the journey and why?

I loved it all! Poetry slam was very creative. Much better than I expected. Stand-up was also hilarious because I loved the sense of humor. Watching a Broadway musical also made me interested in musicals. It was magical.

7. Which piece of art intrigued you at MoMa and/or The Metropolitan Museum of Art and why?

Honestly wish we had more time to explore MoMA and MET. They were both full of very important and astonishing pieces of Art. Seeing Ancient Greece, Egypt and Persian sides of MET left me speechless. Having the honor of seeing Starry Night by Vincent van Gosh, self portraits of Frida Kahlo and MANY MORE important artists and their infinitely remarkable masterpieces was an unmatchable experience.

8. What did you learn about living in New York and being a New Yorker?

It’s not to feel like you belong there when everything and everyone welcomes you no matter what.

9. How would you describe your own contribution to preparing for the journey and what was challenging?

To be honest, it took a whole lot out of me to do the position paper and financially BUT it taught me so much. I would do it all over again if I only could.

10. What did you do at the Model UN conference? What could you have done better? What did you excel at? Strengths and weaknesses?

I think we should’ve been taught more about how the conference works.

11. What did you learn about the UN? Could you see yourself as a diplomat or having an international job in some way? Why / why not?

I would love to be a diplomat or have a international job. It is so cool.

12. What advice do you have for future delegates?

Don’t underestimate your position paper. Learn about your partner’s topic as well as yours. Do more research than you are told that you need to. Try understanding how the conference goes (when to speak, what to say etc)

– Tara