Below is a write up of Winda’s journey to be accepted as Vice-chair in special crisis committee at a prestigious program. Enjoy! 

****

Being Optimistic is Easy

Words by Winda Edelwis Zedilla , Universitas Hasanuddin Makassar

I want to share my story regarding the process of applying prestigious Model UN conference in India.

Global Indian Model United Nations Conference (TGIMUNC) is an annual initiative designed to be the most competitive and superior MUN simulation providing an unparalleled and personalized experience for all the participating delegates and faculty advisors. Delegates will not only get international exposure but will also learn about research, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership abilities, public speaking, debating skills, writing skills, diplomacy, international relations and the functioning of United Nations as a whole. And this year, TGIMUNC-India 2016 is essentially leveraging the simulation platform of Model United Nations as a catapult to provide global exposure to participating delegates. It is a platform guided by global leaders to build global leaders who are going to shape a sustainable world with peace and harmony for mankind.

Two weeks ago, I applied for Committee Director Position at The Global Indian Model United Nations Conference (TGIMUNC) 2016 in New Delhi, India. TGIMUNC will host 5,000 students in 50 committees, ranging from all 6 GAs to smaller crisis committee as well as boasting 300 members secretariat from over 60 countries. This conference has one of the most international groups in Model UN history. And the good news is this event is fully funded. I could imagine how tough the competitors would be.

I thought this was the best time for me to challenge myself in order to reflect what I have been learning in both university and XL Future Leaders program during my academic years. I filled out the application form carefully and tried to make it perfect until the next step came to me and it was so scary moment for me. Yes, interview session through Skype. That was becoming my scary nightmare since most of the time I ran into disappointing interview session result. What if I could not make it?

One thing that came to my mind was: “I need mentoring session first”. I texted Leo right away, our facilitator in XL Future Leaders Makassar Class Batch 3 and requested for emergency mentoring session. During this session, I told him my big obstacles in facing interview session ahead as well as asking a lot of questions in order to handle my problem in dealing with possibility questions that would be asked by interviewer during interview session. I still remember we had mentoring session 2 hours before my interview session at 1am (re: 6pm CET). Leo helped me to stay relax and prepared best answer during interview session. More or less, I had a fruitful and productive mentoring session with confidence result.

During interview session, I tried to sound professional: I kept my strong voice with clear pronunciation to show the interviewer I was really qualified for taking that awesome opportunity. I kept remembering what Leo’s said during that quick mentoring session to make my answer kept on the track and made my answer simple but straight to the point. With such structured preparation, finally I did it well. It was a short and challenging interview session, only 15 minutes.

4 days later after interview, I receive an email which led me shaking with happiness. Surprised yet excited. That’s what I felt when I read email from the committee, I have never imagined before to be selected as an important person in this prestigious event. I have been selected to take part in TGIMUNC Secretariat as Vice-Chair in Special Crisis Committee. I can’t believe it! I still can’t believe it! It’s totally like a dream for me.

I made it! I just don’t know how to express it properly. I would like to send my special thanks to XL Future Leaders Program for inspiring me all the time, for making me being a brave person to DREAM! Besides my passion, enthusiasm value that I bring all the time with strong spirit would never created such a perfect result without getting help along the way. As I reflect on my journey, XL Future Leaders program is an experience that helps me the most.

I am extraordinarily grateful for both of the confidence and opportunity to be surrounded with awesome leaders that I respect so much and I admire so far in XL Future Leaders program. For all this, I thank them.

Keep Rocking, XL Future Leaders!