Great Scot April 2019 Great Scot_156_April_2019_Online | Page 41

Balancing learning
with ‘absolute fun’
Scotch’s delegation to The Hague
International Model United Nations (THIMUN)
spent five days at THIMUN enjoying what
delegate Victor Jiang described as ‘an
experience which is unlike any other; a
perfect balance of learning and absolute fun’.
There was also plenty of time for
sightseeing in the Netherlands, a country only
about half the size of Tasmania, but a tourist
Mecca. Ten boys and two staff participated in
the tour (24 January to 4 February).
Model United Nations is an educational
simulation and/or academic activity in which
students learn about diplomacy, international
relations, and the United Nations. Participants
polish their speaking, debating, and writing
skills, as well as sharpening their critical
thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
In this article, three Year 10 boys —
Victor Jiang, Will Haldane and Charlie
Landau — describe their THIMUN and travel
experiences.
THIMUN — an unparalleled experience
THIMUN is an experience which is unlike
any other, a perfect balance of learning and
absolute fun. The various committees and
delegates of THIMUN made the experience
one that will not be forgotten. The atmosphere
when you enter your committee on the first
day is like the first day of school, where no one
knows anyone and everyone is both eager and
nervous about meeting new people from all
over the world.
Lobbying is essentially the clashing of
ideas to create a resolution that aims to fit
every category — an unparalleled creative
experience. When lobbying you find people –
both allies and opposers — you will get to know
well over the next five days.
When the debating of the resolutions
began, those with experience of Model UN
led the way, and eventually those who were
less experienced understood and gained
confidence. The feeling of lifting your placard
and hearing your country being selected
gives a rush of adrenaline and a scramble to
finalise what you are going to say; but those
experiences only enhanced THIMUN.
As the end of THIMUN drew near everyone
began to feel nostalgic, as much had happened
over the week. The last day of THIMUN really
was a rollercoaster of emotions. The day
began like any other, with many debates, but
as the end approached, delegates from every
commission began devising creative ways to
have fun. In my commission, we began singing
karaoke near the end and there was even a joke
proposal.
As it ended, everyone said their final
goodbyes and went to the closing ceremony,
which ended with the flags of every country
represented on stage, a truly unforgettable
scene. In the ensuing days, you find everyone
suffers from a condition called PTD, or Post
THIMUN Depression, where you reminisce
fondly about your time in THIMUN. Though it
was only five days, it was an experience I will
never forget.
VICTOR JIANG
Achieving and learning
The Scotch College THIMUN delegation
spent three days in Amsterdam sightseeing
and museum visiting. After an excellent time
in Amsterdam, the delegation travelled to The
Hague, the home of the Netherlands Parliament
and where the Model UN conference was
being held. During our time at The Hague,
we represented Croatia, participating across
10 different committees including the MUN
General Assembly. We visited the Australian
Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr Matthew
Neuhaus, at his residence not far from the
Australian Embassy.
The Peace Palace tour, where the
International Criminal Court and the
International Court of Justice proceedings are
held, was amazing. The palace and its grounds
are decorated with sculptures, artworks and
beautiful gifts from around the world. Another
STUDENT DELEGATES AT THIMUN IN FRONT OF THE STATUE
OF NELSON MANDELA AT THE HAGUE.
highlight was an escape room challenge, which
we all finished successfully in due time.
Everyone on the trip achieved and learned
much, made new friends from all corners of
the globe and returned with fun memories to
cherish forever.
WILL HALDANE
The trip and the sights
After 20-odd hours of flying, we arrived in
Amsterdam excited to see this pretty city. Here
we saw the Rjiks Museum with its outstanding
paintings and sculptures. The design of the
building itself was remarkable, with its glass
ceiling, stained glass windows and high,
decorated walls. We wandered through a local
market where we tried ‘healthy’ Dutch food
such as fries in paper cones with many sauces,
and poffertjes (small pancakes) with chocolate
and butter. We all admired the tall colourful
buildings surrounded by canals.
After strolling around the local areas we
travelled up to the busier area of Dam Square,
and from there we visited Anne Frank’s House.
We learned much about Anne and the impact
the war had on her family and on Amsterdam
itself. The most moving part of the exhibition
was the video at the end, in which many
famous people spoke about the remarkable
Anne Frank.
We began the next day with a visit to the
Van Gogh Museum. It was great to be able to
look at the artist’s paintings and gaze out of
the window at the scenery Van Gogh would
have looked at while painting. The resemblance
was obvious. The trip was a terrific experience
for me, as I shared common interests with
students from all around the world.
CHARLIE LANDAU
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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