Great Wins at PRIMUN, Tokyo...

My experience at PRIMUN definitely shaped the way I now perceive Model UN. With well-versed chairs from UC Berkeley and UC San Diego and sharp delegates hailing from Japan, Korea and China, this was sure to be an unforgettable conference that would challenge me in all of the quintessential aspects of MUN. Debate, collaboration, and diplomacy were all values strongly held at the core of this conference and necessary to hone in order to resolve the pressing matter at hand. In the UNHCR, we were presented with the multifaceted and universal issue of refugee settlement, in addition to the unexpected earthquake crisis that united all three committees to give a prompt and comprehensive response. Aside from the intense debate that ensued during committee sessions, the UNHCR also fostered a warm and welcoming environment for beginner delegates. Thanks to our chairs, Michelle and Brock, these delegates were able to immerse themselves in the discussions without feeling intimidated.

 

Although the conference lasted two short days, the lessons and memories that I have learned and made could not have been gained in any other lifetime.  I am so incredibly grateful for the time and dedication Mrs. Mills and Mr. Coady (and of course, Akiko, our gracious tour guide) put into planning this trip; planning international MUN trips every year is no easy feat! Having had the opportunity to make friends who live halfway across the globe, engage in riveting debate about prevalent issues, and explore beautiful Japanese cities, I can confidently say that this MUN trip was not one to forget!

 

Deborah Wong '20
Outstanding Delegate

 

 Some thoughts on the tour after the conference!

Japan 2019 was an incredible and unforgettable experience. I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to immerse myself in a completely different culture and lifestyle. Our trip began with a ten-hour flight directly from Vancouver to Tokyo. Despite a technical error in the “in-flight entertainment system” which resulted in some of us not having access to the TV’s, we safely landed in Tokyo. As soon as we got out of customs, we were greeted with a warm smile by our superb tour guide, Akiko. Our first night consisted of a trip to the famous Harajuku Shopping district where we were welcomed with bright neon signs, exciting skin care products, and Green Tea galore. After walking along the strip, we went to dinner which was quite an experience. Each table had a stove top in its center, and we were responsible for cooking our own meal. This was a great bonding opportunity for everyone and created a very enjoyable atmosphere which would continue for the rest of the trip. The next two days were spent at Senzoku Gakuen School, an all-girls school, which is where the MUN conference was held. After many hours of gripping debate, we finished strong, and not only won several awards, but also fostered meaningful relationships with fellow delegates. We commenced our week of sightseeing with a trip to the largest Starbucks in the world! This major tourist attraction is comprised of four levels, with one of them serving over one thousand varieties of tea! Next, we visited the famous Meiji Shrine. Not only is the shrine famous, but one person who was touring the shrine is also very prominent. To our great surprise, Malala Yousafzai was attending a Summit in Japan, and we were lucky enough to cross paths with her. We were all in disbelief when we saw her. What an amazing coincidence it was that we were on a MUN trip and the youngest-ever UN Messenger of Peace was standing right before us. Another trip highlight was spending the afternoon in the Digital Art Museum where we walked through rooms filled with dynamic and interactive art that is constantly in motion. Towards the middle of our stay in Japan, we were able to see Mount. Fuji, stayed in a traditional Japanese hotel where we had the opportunity to wear Kimonos, and visited Matsumoto Castle. We all enjoyed the various food markets that we went to, as well as the vending machines which were filled with unique beverages. Our last day consisted of sightseeing at the Golden Pavilion and shopping time in the underground malls of Kyoto. We concluded our trip with a ride on the Bullet Train which was also quite an experience. Japan is an amazing country, and I will cherish the memories I made on this trip forever. Karen Gibbs once said, “Take every chance you get in life because some things only happen once.” Japan 2019 was an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience, one that I could only dream of not so long ago, and I am so grateful to everyone who made my dream come true.

 

Anjali Siega '20