"What you think actually matters, and trust me, you’ll surprise yourself."

Grab your popcorn because the MUN Stars is back, and we’re diving straight into business! As I brainstormed who to interview for this new season, I found myself drawn back to my MUN peers in Istanbul because sometimes, you just have to return to where you were happiest, right? That’s when I thought of my friend Emir for an interview. Trust me, you’ll love him as much as I do. 

Emir is not your typical engineering student. In addition to his third-year electrical engineering studies, he organises his schedule around tutoring, musical theatre, and volunteering with AIESEC (International Association of Students in Economics and Business). Oh, did we mention he is also the Co-Director of the Bogazici MUN Society? Yeah, we are talking about that level of multitasking. 

Back in 2014, Emir started his MUN journey as an observer. By 2015, he was representing China in ECOFIN. “I was hesitant to speak,” he admits, “but hey, I’ve always been confident enough to say what’s on my mind.” That confidence soon paid off with his first award. Over 50 conferences later, Emir has solidified his place in the MUN world.

Regarding MUN roles, Emir is crystal clear about his preference. “Being a delegate? Meh, not for me,” he laughs. “But chairing? Especially General Assembly committees? That’s where the fun’s at.” His dream agendas are international transportation policies or walkable cities.

As Co-Director of the Bogazici MUN Society, Emir faced his biggest challenge: assembling a top-tier team. “I trained so many amazing people, but I could only pick three,” he shares. Now that his squad is locked in, his leadership philosophy is macro-management. “Everyone needs their space to grow,” he explains. And honestly? That’s the secret behind the magic.

Emir’s formula for training new MUNers combines mock debates, icebreakers, and ensuring chairs strike the perfect balance between strictness and approachability. “Be friendly, but when it’s business time, it’s business time,” he advises. For chairs, Emir emphasises picking topics you’re passionate about. “Make it engaging but real,” he says. And for delegates, he keeps it simple: “You’re just as important as anyone else in the room.”

For Emir, MUN has evolved from a place to meet new people into a way to give back to the community. “When I was younger, it was all about socializing,” he reflects. “Now, it’s about helping others grow.” One standout memory? Coaching a once-shy delegate who went on to win an award after four conferences. Heartwarming, right? That said, Emir is thinking about retiring from MUN. But let’s be honest, can anyone truly walk away from the chaos and fun? From calming a crying 14-year-old delegate to falling off a chair mid-speech (“I’m fine, but I’m not paying for that chair”), Emir’s got stories for days.

“MUN’s taught me so much,” Emir says. “Public speaking, networking, even pushing through when my social battery’s dead.” And in the business world? It’s already giving him an edge. “The mix of academic and real-world language is a game changer,” he adds.

Whether chairing a session, mentoring a delegate, or cracking jokes about broken chairs, Emir has left an undeniable mark on the MUN world. And while he might be flirting with retirement, we’re betting he’ll be back. After all, who could stay away from all this drama—and all this fun?