Hard work leads to rewards in Model UN

NAYONIKIAA SINGHAAL
PHOTOGRAPHER
STAFF WRITER

11/17/2025

Every winter, Tuesday evenings at Alma look a little different. While most students are winding down, around 40 to 50 students from over 20 countries gather in one classroom. They debate, negotiate and write resolutions on everything from climate change to global security. 

This isn’t just a club or simulation, it’s Alma’s Model United Nations, one of the most demanding yet rewarding classes on campus. So, is doing Model UN really worth it? The short answer: absolutely, but not without effort. 

Alma’s Model UN program is legendary. For more than 20 years, the team has won the Outstanding Delegation Award at national conferences in New York and St. Louis. That record is almost unheard of for a small liberal arts college. The Boston Globe once called Alma’s team an “unlikely power,” and even Jeopardy! featured a question about our MUN program. 

But behind every award and headline is a lot of hard work. The class meets once a week during winter term, and those Tuesday night sessions often stretch late into the evening. Students spend hours researching country policies, writing position papers and building thick binders filled with speeches, notes and resolutions. It’s the kind of class that demands both discipline and teamwork. 

For many students, though, the challenge is what makes it special.  

“I get to travel and experience hands-on learning that I wouldn’t get anywhere else, and it’s challenging, but it’s helped me grow. I’m more confident, a better speaker and a stronger leader because of MUN,” said Makaila Boatman (’28), a student at Alma College. 

Another student shared how much the class helped her personally.  

“It was time-consuming, but it was worth it, as it helped me manage my anxiety when speaking in front of people and made me more aware of what’s happening in the world. You really learn to be resilient,” said Salma Laraichi (’27), an international student from Morocco. 

 “I think doing MUN is worth it. It’s definitely challenging, and it requires a lot of time and effort. Everyone gets something different out of it but all of the people I know who ended up sticking with MUN have benefitted from it one way or another,” said Karol Pucek (’26), an international student from Poland. 

Model UN isn’t only for Political Science majors. Committees debate issues that touch nearly every field including peace, health, trade, finance and the environment. Many students walk in with one interest and leave with another, having found new passions and perspectives through the process. 

What makes Alma’s program even more unique is what comes after. Students who complete MUN can participate in a Posey-Global experience where they get to spend the summer in India teaching high schoolers Model UN and Global Affairs. It’s an incredible opportunity to share what you’ve learned and inspire the next generation of delegates. 

Model UN is not easy and it’s not “meant to be” for everyone. “I also know people who tried it and decided it wasn’t for them, and I think there’s no shame in that,” said Pucek. 

So, is doing Model UN worth it? Yes. It’s worth every late night, every research session, and every speech that makes your heart race. It’s worth it because it teaches you confidence, leadership and a deeper understanding of the world. 

Model UN may take over your winter term and maybe even your sleep schedule, but it gives you something rare: the ability to think globally and see yourself as part of something bigger than Alma’s campus.