“MUN did help me decide what direction to take in my career.”

I first heard about Paul O’Brien through the MUN Bubble—the go-to spot for meeting the most interesting people. My MUN friend Nazan couldn’t stop talking about him, so I thought, why not reach out? And honestly, I’m happy I did!

Paul’s academic life? An absolute blast. He’s wrapping up a dual master’s degree in Governance ad European Studies and is about to move to Ljubljana. Before that, he studied mathematics and politics. His MUN journey back in high school with the Model European Parliament. “I was just so fascinated by the whole international relations thing,” he said, to be honest, relatable. His real MUN career kicked off with KaMUN 2021, and since then, he’s been to many conferences like FreiMUN 2024 and LiMUN 2022. His MUN CV is stackeded.

When I asked Paul about advice for first-timers, he was super chill: "Just get involved and speak up—no one’s gonna judge you, so go for it!" I love that energy. He’s more into chairing now, though, which I get. 

Oh, here’s a cool fact: Paul was the Secretary-General for the first-ever FreiMUN in 2023. He admitted it was kinda scary at first—organising rooms, finding chairs, and basically making sure everything didn’t fall apart. But himself and FreiMUN team pulled it off! 

It was so great to hear that, despite the challenges, the whole thing was a success. And if that’s not enough, he’s also chaired the Freiburg Model United Nations e.V.. That experience? Major confidence boost. Paul’s attitude is super refreshing—he turns every challenge into a learning opportunity. Talk about inspiring!

When it comes to committees, Paul’s all about the crisis ones. “They’re fast-paced, and you learn to juggle different roles,” he said. Plus, he’s a huge fan of the European Parliament committee because, let’s be real, it’s where things get heated. 

Paul also shared some top tips for future chairs. His number one? “Be open and communicative, especially about how delegates can reach you. A strong delegate-chair relationship is key.” He’s big on creating a comfortable environment, especially when giving feedback on position papers. A confidence boost is incoming! Oh, and for anyone writing a study guide? Pick a topic you’re obsessed with. Paul said it’s a game-changer.

And let’s not forget one of his favourite MUN moments. A delegate came out with the wildest metaphor: "Passing this amendment would be like throwing a horse over a cliff—but it’s not a unicorn." Honestly, what does that even mean?! We may never know, but it’s iconic.

Now, here’s the real kicker: Paul doesn’t drink coffee. Yep, no caffeine, no espresso shots, nothing. And yet, somehow, he survives entire MUN weekends without it! Honestly, HOW does he do it? The mystery continues… I am just glad to have the opportunity to interview him.