Kolbe Dolin, a communication major from Augusta University, never imagined he would be sitting in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City debating global concerns with representatives from more than 70 countries.

But last semester, Dolin and his classmates from the National Model United Nations program at Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences joined students from all over the world to address issues such as gender equality, climate action and global health.

“Traveling to the UN headquarters was an eye-opening experience,” Dolin said, explaining that his classmates represented Vietnam during the spring conference. “We were very graciously given the opportunity to visit the UN Consulate of Vietnam and ask questions about the issues we were facing. The UN headquarters is a massive complex. Even getting through security was a unique experience.”

The National Model United Nations program is designed to immerse students in realistic simulations of the United Nations, said Nadia Jilani-Hyler, the NMUN program director and a lecturer in political science at Augusta University. Since 2011, Augusta University has participated regularly in the National Model United Nations and has received international recognition for their efforts.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to visit the United Nations headquarters and we hold part of our proceedings there in that iconic green room, which is the same room where presidents and dictators and other world leaders have given their famous speeches. The students really enjoy it,” Jilani-Hyler said.