When researching the Model United Nations Institute, you are able to find a wide range of testimonies from students and parents at MUNI. But have you ever wondered what the experience is like through a staffer’s point of view? Here is an inside look on what it was like to be a Residential Counselor for the MUNI Summer Institute 2019.
Day-to-Day Responsibilities
My main responsibility as a Residential Counselor is to ensure the safety and well-being of all MUNI students. From assisting students with their nightly homework, to enforcing curfew and ensuring all students get where they need to be, Residential Counselors work every day to make sure each student at MUNI is safe, happy and learning. Additionally, Residential Counselors are tasked with designing and leading fun and engaging activities for all residential students. Game night, sport competitions, scavenger hunts are just a few examples of activities we would engage in. My favorite residential activity is City Night, when students and staff take a trip into the city one night in the week to grab a to-go meal and take our food to eat together, hang out and explore a scenic location. MUNI summer programs are offered at a variety of exciting locations, and city night is a great opportunity for students and staff to learn about and experience a new place.
The Students
As much as I love planning and organizing activities, my favorite part of the job was definitely engaging with the students. Being exposed to so many distinct personalities, aspirations and backgrounds was refreshing and intriguing. Although most residential students only stay for about a week, they undergo so much change and growth in that time. Their friendships, confidence and views blossom into full force, granting me the honor to see their full potential. One of my favorite moments of MUNI was at UC Berkeley where everyone comforted one student who was feeling homesick even though they had only known each other for a couple of days. The community that is built during MUNI is resilient and strong among the students.
Staff Culture
Being a Residential Counselor had its own unique challenges, and felt overwhelming at some points. However, I was always able to get through anything with the help of my coworkers. Even though the majority of staff were not residential counselors, they always offered a lending hand in supervising, handling time-sensitive situations and providing their own perspective on dilemmas that arose. I made long lasting relationships with my coworkers, and have the honor to call some of them my closest friends. The community based environment I had the pleasure to work in is something I still look for when interviewing for jobs.
Overall Experience
I honestly did not expect that being a Residential Counselor could be so rewarding and impactful on my life. It allowed me to grow tremendously in how to delegate tasks, mediate conflicts and work in a team. It allowed me to realize my love for kids, to form meaningful friendships and to travel the country while working. I definitely recommend every MUN college student to staff a MUNI camp at least once, as it is an experience that will greatly shape you. And for parents, your students are in excellent care! For those still in middle and highschool, registration for the MUNI Summer Institute 2020 is now live, and I recommend you check it out!
