“Finance Wasn’t the Plan. But MUN Never Goes to Plan Anyway.”

When I say “finance,” I’m not talking about Bitcoin or Wall Street. I mean the real numbers that keep Model United Nations running behind the scenes. I’ve seen firsthand how crucial that role is, and Josue, former treasurer of Leiden MUN, knows it better than anyone. His journey from political science student in Leiden to master’s in political economy at UVA ( Universiteit van Amsterdam) is the kind of story that shows how MUN shapes more than just debate skills.

Josue’s MUN career kicked off years ago, back in 2016, far from the European stages, in Ecuador. His first experience was overwhelming but unforgettable. With zero experience, he found himself representing the United States in a local conference’s Security Council, managing to earn an honorable mention despite it all. “A fun story,” he calls it, but it marked the start of something bigger.

From Ecuador, Josue dove into regional conferences across Latin America, Chile, Colombia, and eventually made the jump to international events in the USA and Europe, including Harvard 2019. “Moving to the Netherlands and Europe opened my eyes to a whole new level of MUN,” he recalls. “American delegates are fast, assertive sharks, ready to form coalitions and get things done. Europeans? They’re more strategic, and you basically have to relearn how to debate from scratch.”

His first English-language committee was the UN Human Rights Council in Quito, representing Mexico. “It was challenging,” he admits, “but earning an oral commendation there really pushed me forward.” Joining Leiden University, Josue wanted to keep challenging himself and joined their MUN association, known for intense preparation and competitive conferences.

Transitioning from delegate to the finance department wasn’t easy. “At first, I wasn’t sure I was the right fit,” he says. After the pandemic disrupted everything, Josue had to help lead financial recovery, balancing tight budgets, seeking external funding, and making MUN accessible to all students. It was about more than numbers; it was about keeping the community alive. Josue credits MUN for much more than finance skills. “It’s helped me speak better, negotiate, and connect with people. The long nights working with fellow board members,  sometimes falling asleep on my laptop, turned us into a family far from home.” 

His advice to new delegates? “Focus on what you’re good at, cover all angles, and don’t get distracted. Every delegate is different, find your own style and add real value.” His story shows how MUN is not just about formal debates but about growth, connection, and learning to navigate chaos.

And me? I’ll probably keep doing the whole “girl-managing” thing, you know, handling the drama, organizing the chaos, keeping everyone sane, while also staying on top of PR and chairing. Honestly, I’m good at juggling all those hats. Maybe finance isn’t my thing, but I’ll keep holding it down behind the scenes, making sure everything runs smoothly. That’s just how I roll. MUN is crazy, hectic, sometimes exhausting, but it’s where I find my rhythm, my people, and a place that always pulls me back, no matter what.