Visiting New York and the United Nations (UN) is more than a journey; it is a unique opportunity to enrich my knowledge of international relations and diplomacy as practised today. As a psychology student, my interests lie in understanding individual and collective behaviour, conflict management, and negotiation techniques crucial in diplomacy and global politics. I now could learn and attend the UN to witness how psychological theories shape policies and resolve conflicts. This journey is also about viewing and being part of the decision-making process that affects the world’s nations. For someone who wants to be in a career that involves psychology in international relations and human resources, this experience will be a significant move towards my future goals.
In my imagination, I plan to soak up every minute of the experience: observing how potent politicians steer through tense conversations, how opposing nations settle their differences, and how policies are created. It is one thing to read about diplomacy in books, and it is quite another to see it happen in front of one’s eyes. Thinking, bargaining and strategic actions are aspects of international relations that cannot be experienced only through theory. Using this pair of glasses, I would like to figure out how cognitive biases, emotional intelligence, and persuasion styles affect diplomatic relationships.
From an academic point of view, this experience will be priceless. My fields of study are not connected to law or political science, but I have studied, to some extent, global governance, human rights and conflict resolution in psychology. However, theory is theory and practice. I can now experience these concepts, ask questions, and listen to diplomats and UN officers. This is learning, not from books or classes; this is learning from life. I will be able to grasp more clearly how psychological principles of conflict management and negotiation are used internationally when I watch diplomacy in action. In addition, this experience may open my eyes to some areas I have not even considered, expanding my academic interests and inspiring new research in psychological diplomacy, intercultural communication and decision-making in stressful situations.
This journey will also help me become a better person in my personal life in so many ways. I have gained an interest in global issues through my involvement in the Democratic Education Network (DEN), and I have always had to do something besides study. I will be in New York, the most populated city in the United States of America (USA) and the world’s third most populated city; I will have to stretch my comfort zone. The traffic, the crowd, and the various opportunities for interaction and affiliation will help me gain confidence and improve my communication skills. Interaction with people will help me become more flexible and perceive the world differently, which will be helpful for future work where understanding cultural differences is critical.
Although I have not yet decided on my future career, I want to work for an international organisation and support essential policies. Every experience is a part of me, and this trip is another part of that experience. This is a visit and a turning point in my learning and growth. The knowledge I will acquire, the people I will meet, and the experiences I will encounter will help me realise my plans.
There is so much in this world to experience, and I am ready to experience it all. This trip is not just for learning; it is about building a future in which I can contribute to global governance and make a change while achieving my dreams and applying psychological knowledge to international diplomacy.
Grace Villagomez-Akre