What it's like to intern for the UN

By: Tasmiyah Randaree

Aamna Rashid is a former student of the University of Toronto. Her majors were Peace, Conflict & Justice with a minor in History and Diaspora and Transnational Studies. She gives a recap of what her internship experience with the United Nations in New York was like. Read on to know more!

How did you come across the UN internship position and what drove you to apply? 

I wanted to gain some practical work experience over the summer before my fourth year, and the United Nations, of course, went hand in hand with my major, and so it was one of the first internships I applied for. There were hundreds of internships available with the UN, so I had to really narrow them down to the positions I was interested in, qualified for and to locations I could realistically live in. I ended up being offered two internships, one with the Department of Public Information and one with the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth. I accepted the offer from the Department of Public Information because I felt that I would get more out of a 6-month internship.  

What does this internship position entail? 

Interning at the Department of Public Information is essentially acting as a liaison between the United Nations and the general public. So on a normal day, I do a lot of research and report writing on international issues and UN resolutions. My Department also does outreach work to promote the Sustainable Development Goals and other UN resolutions such as Remember Slavery and International Day of Peace. 

Living in NYC, how has that been? 

I've wanted to live in New York since I was about 9 years old, so it really is a dream come true. I got to attend a show at Carnegie Hall, run a 5K through midtown Manhattan and got to see my first Yankee's game! New York is especially beautiful in the holiday season with all the skating rinks and the festive window displays. I really got a glimpse into what it's like to be a New Yorker and putting the horrendous MTA delays aside, it's really been the experience of a lifetime. 

What has been your most memorable experience while working at the UN? 

Working at the Secretariat, every day is pretty incredible but I think the General Assembly week in September definitely takes the cake for most memorable. During General Assembly week, every day was crazier than the last. Casually ending up in elevators with world leaders and top diplomats was the norm. Seeing celebrities walk by you in hallways was nothing unusual. Completely insane.  

Has this experience changed you or the way you think, in any way? If so, how? 

As strange as it may sound, I see the world as a bigger place now. Although I'd been exposed to the international community as a University of Toronto student, it was nothing quite at the scale of the United Nations Secretariat. There were people from cultures and backgrounds that I was completely unaware of. The entire building was this unique blend of cultures and backgrounds and it was really nice to see everyone working towards a common goal. With that being said, I feel like I am now more aware of how diverse our world is and more optimistic that despite these differences, working together for good is possible.    

Any advice for people who would be interested in applying for this internship position in the future? 

Yes! Remember to research the position before you apply. As I said before, I applied for two internships with the United Nations and I ended up getting both of them. This was because out of hundreds of internships, I only applied to positions that I felt were relevant to my previous experience and emphasized that in my application. Randomly applying for positions that do not match your experience or career aspirations will not be helpful. 

The United Nations is a huge organization. They have internships in the field, in their offices and also in their Missions. The Mission internships, I have come to learn, are very rewarding. You don't have to be a national of the Mission you're applying to and these internships offer more advantages like a Delegates badge for virtually complete access to the United Nations and even language classes if you want to pick up a new language. If I were to go back and intern again, I would definitely try for one of those internships! 

All in all, interning at the United Nations has been an unforgettable experience that really allowed me to see the international community in action. I look forward to continuing my education and gaining more experience in this field! 

What to Pack for a Model UN Conference

By: Mustafa Master

We have all been victim to the hardest question faced as an avid or first-time Model UN participant: “What do I pack for MUN?” While the answer varies from person to person, we’ve classified it into 3 categories: Clothing Essentials, Conference Essentials and Toronto Essentials.

Clothing Essentials: 

Your outfit could be the most tedious thing to tackle at a MUN (after speaking in front of hundreds of people of course), but we recommend keeping it simple. For men, one classic suit in black, grey or blue paired with a dress shirt. We recommend packing one shirt for each day of the conference along with a range of ties, which you can use to express who you are and what you represent. Don’t forget a pair of dress shoes: black shoes are the most versatile. 

For women, your options go beyond a suit. You could opt for a blazer, a pair of dress pants,  or a dress skirt. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to pack enough button-up shirts for each day, and a pair of comfortable shoes: flats are highly recommended. Don’t forget to bring a few dresses too which could be worn to our social events. 

Conference Essentials:

During a Model UN conference, your best friend is your laptop. It’s essential to have it on you all the time and I’m sure many of you won’t forget it but a mistake we do make is forgetting chargers for our devices, so be sure to carry your power chords with you to help you power through the conference! Office supplies also come in handy; it helps you take notes and send messages to other delegates easily without asking anyone for a pen or piece of paper. Lastly, we recommend carrying a folder with all the information relating to the conference – from schedules of the events to your placards, it’s easier when everything is in one place!

Toronto Essentials: 

The 6ix, T-Dot, the 416 or Hollywood North: when you travel to Toronto, you have to pack accordingly. Essentials for February would include a winter coat, winter boots, thermals and gloves. You will be witness to winter fashion at its best in Toronto, so don’t forget to carry your finest coats, jackets and sweaters. We propose you should make a travel list of things to do in Toronto, from attractions to unique places you can only find here! (Check out our recommended eats on namun.org) It also helps if you know your way around our transportation system so take a minute to familiarise yourself with how it works. 

Lastly, don’t forget your passport and travel documents to get here. We can’t wait to see you at NAMUN 2020!