Entry 44: Past Experiences

How have your past circumstances and experiences (such as your upbringing, community, and/or activities) impacted who you are, your future goals, and your choice of major? If you haven't decided on a college or major yet, briefly explain your intentions and aspirations for your first year at our school.
--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• My past circumstances as a Model United Nations participator have influenced who I am, in a variety of different aspects. First, MUN introduced me to a world full of controversy and debate, and it brought to me the reality of the world, that there are many issues in the world that we, people who live comfortable lives, do not come into contact with. Second, MUN taught me the importance of being well prepared, which in turn trained me on my research skills concerning topic. Researching on controversial topics taught me to be objective and to look at many different sources with many different points of view before coming to a conclusion concerning the topic. Third, MUN taught me the importance of presentation and speech, as well as confidence. To be an active and successful speaker means that one must be able to speak with confidence, as well as being able to answer any questions raised (this, in turn, refers to research abilities). Last, but not least, MUN taught me the importance of social relationships. In international relations, diplomatic relations is extremely essential. These skills that I learned in MUN would help me with my major because communications has an emphasis on presentation, background research, as well as sight for many difference points of view of one single story.