“When you become a chair you also become a role model.”

As you probably know, I did my Erasmus in Istanbul, and honestly, it was a total dream! But this isn’t just about my Istanbul adventure; it’s about the friendships I made through MUN while there.

At my first conference, the BAUXBOUN training, I was the rapporteur for the European Commission. I met this fantastic chair named Eylül, and we had the best time during the committee sessions and at the socials.

Eylül is an economics senior at Istanbul Technical University who has been doing MUN for seven years. She started her MUN journey in 2019 at a high school conference, representing Afghanistan in DISEC. “I was unprepared,” she confessed. “Some people told me to quit MUN, but I was like, ‘Nah!’ and taught myself the ropes.” Talk about inspirational! Now, with all that experience, she’s an incredible MUNer who works super hard.

Her main advice for first-timers? Seek out resources like mymun´s masterclass. “Having guidance can make a huge difference!” She raved about how helpful mymun has been for her. “The application process is a breeze, and I could easily showcase my experiences.” Plus, she loves getting the newsletter that keeps her in the loop with the latest MUN news.

Right now, Eylül is the Deputy Secretary-General of ITUMUN. Effective communication with her secretariat team is everything for her. They’ve been grinding away for two months preparing for their conference. “Being chill and working together helps us tackle challenges,” she said. She also mentioned the importance of networking in the MUN community:

Eylül has chaired many conferences, saying, “I learned how to chair by watching and practicing—like watching my mom cook.” She admitted it wasn’t perfect initially but levelled up over time. She stressed the importance of keeping balance in the committee. Flexibility and approachability are her jam; focusing on solutions and being open to feedback can improve the experience. When it comes to study guides, she believes they should be more than just info dumps. “I highlight key concepts and push delegates to research further by sharing relevant sources.” She doesn’t want to overwhelm anyone with too much info

Of course, I had to ask about her thoughts on MUN Command. “I think it’s super user-friendly!” We laughed because I was the one who introduced her to it, and now she can’t stop using it!

She told me it significantly influenced her choice of major. She’s really into global politics and current events. “MUN helped me blend those interests, giving me insights into development and political economics.” Plus, it’s levelled up her communication skills. “I’ve learned about diplomacy and effective negotiation—skills that aren’t really taught in traditional education.” She feels like a true global citizen participating in MUN.

Regarding her fave MUN committees, she’s not a “crisis girly” (and honestly, neither am I). She’s all about procedural committees where she can learn how the UN operates. As an economics major, she digs economic committees like ECOFIN because they give her real-life insights into management.

Feeling nostalgic, we decided to chat about the MUN culture in Istanbul, which differs from what I’ve experienced in Europe. 

 Her favourite part of MUN is the fun events during coffee breaks. They focus on creating an exciting atmosphere that captures the city's lively spirit. 

As the conversation came to an end, I couldn't help but smile at all the unforgettable memories we created together. MUN in Istanbul wasn’t just about debates and resolutions but about forming friendships that feel like family and sharing laughs over late-night prep sessions. I treasure those moments and can’t wait to return and make more memories with Eylül and the incredible MUN fam. Until then, I’ll just be here, dreaming of vibrant Istanbul nights and all the adventures yet to come!