A BAD MUN EXPERIENCE
Hey everyone, I just came back from my very first MUN conference and I'm currently at home crying. I need to vent and get some perspective.
Weeks before the conference, I received confirmation emails stating that I would be representing France in the WHO committee. Even during the pre-conference Zoom meetings, everyone addressed me as France. I prepared extensively for this country.
On day one, I went to collect my badge and it said "Ethiopia". I was shocked and extremely nervous. I talked to the chair before the session started, and it turned out they accidentally assigned France to another delegate as well. The chair came up with a ridiculous solution: "Both of you will represent France. You are France 1, and he is France 2."
I spent the first two sessions holding back tears. I felt terrible for the other guy too, thinking my presence would ruin his chances of getting an award. By Session 3, I told myself, "I paid a lot of money for this, let's just do it." I started participating heavily, forming alliances, and making friends. The other France delegate and I actually became very close friends.
On the second day, I contributed significantly to the resolution papers and general debate. However, during the award ceremony, I received absolutely nothing. The other France delegate won an award. I was genuinely happy for him because he deserved it, but I felt completely invisible.
At the after-party, I was completely checked out. I sat in a corner trying not to cry while everyone danced. My friend (the other France) kept trying to cheer me up and get me to dance, but I refused. I felt like an idiot because he stayed with me and couldn't enjoy his night either. Eventually, I sneaked out and went home without anyone noticing. I wasn't even in the final group photo.
I put so much effort into my first MUN, and I feel like the organizers' sloppy mistake completely ruined my experience and psychological well-being. Am I wrong to feel this upset? Has anyone else experienced a "double delegate" situation due to an organizational error?