During the trip to the National Model United Nations conference in New York City, my fellow students and I, as the FS Model United Nations delegates, took advantage of the various cultural, culinary and artistic experiences that the lively city has to offer. From observation decks and famous landmarks to well-known art galleries and museums, our delegates made sure they explored different aspects of the city while creating lasting memories and connections.
New York City is a bustling metropolis that offers so much to see and do, and we made the most of our time there. We had the chance to enjoy the views of the city’s many observation decks, such as the One World Trade Center, which offered stunning views of the harbour and financial district or the Summit One Vanderbilt and its views of Midtown and Central Park. They took the Staten Island ferry to see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the view of the skyline from the water. Some went for morning runs in Central Park, along with what felt like half the city, and got bagels and coffee at one of the city’s many shops. We also explored the city’s many culinary offers, like Little Italy and Chinatown.
One of the highlights was the cultural experiences in the city’s many art galleries and museums. We visited experiential art installations in Artechouse, visited galleries like MoMA (Museum of Modern Art), the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art) and the Guggenheim. We also had a chance to look at dinosaur bones in the Natural History Museum. Some went to listen to a performance in Carnegie Hall or watch a show on Broadway. A relaxing walk along the High Line, an elevated rail line turned city park, from the bustling Chelsea market to the shopping mall at Hudson Yards and a cocktail at one of the city’s many rooftop bars rounded off the sightseeing.
However, the overall highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the alumni event held at the UN headquarters, which included a private tour of the building. After going through the airport-like security, our delegates got to see the General Assembly hall, the Security Council room and many of the exhibits and artworks on display in the UN building. Our amazing tour guide told us about the history of each room, the important events that took place there and the significance of the many artworks. Of course, we also got to take some great pictures. The tour was truly an eye-opening experience and gave our delegates a new appreciation for the work behind the scenes at the UN. This was followed by a delicious dinner and drinks, with a stunning view of Brooklyn by night, where we got to network with the FS alumni.
The alumni event was a wonderful opportunity for our delegates to connect with past FS graduates and learn about their experiences. They heard about the many great things these alumni are doing now and their impact on the world. On the other hand, the delegates had an opportunity to update the alumni about all the changes that have taken place in Frankfurt. For example, we got to talk to FS alumna Angelica Shamerina, who works for the UN Development Programme and helped make this event possible. Angelica’s work focuses on giving grants to small businesses and NGOs that focus on environmental issues, such as green energy and pollution.
Some alumni were from a time when Frankfurt School was still known as the Hochschule für Bankwirtschaft, which served as a great reminder of not only how far Frankfurt School has come these past 30 odd years but also how high the standards have been set from the very beginning.
We want to thank Lisa Ronneburger, Director of Student and Alumni Affairs at Frankfurt School and FS alumna Angelica Shamerina, Climate Change Advisor at UNDP, for organising this great event and allowing our delegates to see behind the scenes of the UN and getting to know some of the FS alumni in New York. Seeing how past FS graduates used their skills and knowledge to create positive change in their respective fields was truly inspiring.
Frankfurt School gGmbH
Adickesallee 32-34
60322 Frankfurt am Main
