This trip to New York and the United Nations (UN) is the kind of experience I would love to have as a curious person interested in world affairs. I get my energy from people, talking and exploring new possibilities. I am already looking forward to feeling the city’s spirit and learning about the UN’s diplomatic arena. I want to meet as many people as possible, ask some interesting questions, and have a lot of memories to carry with me for the rest of my life.
New York City is an extrovert’s paradise, where every street has a story. I can already see myself walking in Central Park, talking to strangers, and feeling the excitement of being in Times Square. However, the city’s energy is not the only attraction of this journey; the real attraction is the UN. I want to walk around in its corridors. I want to feel it, to understand what makes its diplomats, staffers, and activists tick. What is the motivation behind it? What keeps them awake at night? I would most certainly like to listen and understand and, if necessary, participate in a meaningful discussion.
This trip is an excellent opportunity to learn and develop my knowledge and skills. I have spent numerous hours reading about the UN and its history, accomplishments, and failures, but theory is always theory. It is only when you are there that the magic happens. I want to attend a Security Council meeting and feel the weight of the situation and the atmosphere in the room. I want to see how the diplomats solve the problems, search for common ground, and represent the national interests of the country and the benefit of the whole world. There are some things that no book can explain.
In addition to the official sessions, I’m interested in speaking with people working for UNICEF and UNHCR. How do they convert policies into practice? What difficulties do they encounter while putting global programs into practice? These conversations will give me a more hands-on, less theoretical understanding of how these organisations function.
But this trip is not only about learning. It is about people and their stories, which make travel so amazing. It could be conversing with a delegate from a small island nation, debating with your fellow students over a late-night pizza, or even failing to converse in two languages, and all these will change me in some way. I am ready to test my flexibility, challenge my beliefs, and develop in ways I cannot imagine.
About my future career, this trip may be game-changing. I have always been interested in diplomacy, advocacy, and global studies, but being at the heart of international negotiations will help me understand where I can be helpful. I want to listen to the story of a street vendor in New York, a refugee advocate at the UN, and a student from another country. These interactions will help me understand that global issues are not just political debates but personal. They affect people and will help me continue working to change the world.
When I return, I will know more about the UN and New York City and better understand how I can help the world. However, besides that, I am ready for this experience to change me, challenge my perceptions, inspire me, and make me act. This is not just a trip. This is the beginning of something bigger. And I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Abdullahi Mahi