Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies Excerpts from a reflection by Sofia Cavicchia (Central High School Senior and Penn Model OAS 2019 Participant)
I would not trade the world for the three days spent in Washington D.C. during the simulation. The first day of the simulation, our group was nervous about what we would expect in the conference rooms in the hours approaching. We talked about how we did not feel we were professional enough or we would be placed in a room of people who knew facts about every country, up to the smallest detail. However, arriving to the simulation early I began to communicate with students from Colombia. We spoke on our lives in our hometowns, on our career dreams, and on our reasons for being at the simulation. I immediately had a realization: that this is where I was supposed to be and this was another home of mine that I have created. As I was introducing myself left and right, I felt my heart overarching across a new country every time I talked to a new student from that country. I was able to see parts of the country that I have never seen before and hear stories that allowed me to realize how human the world is. We can not create these fearful expectations about talking about political problems. I saw myself in the people I spoke with, and realized how similar we were and how we were learning with each other.
However, my expectations from the train ride was completely different than the outcome. In the conference room I felt overjoyed, and there was not a single minute in which I did not have a smile on my face, as I was able to connect with people in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I gained confidence, as I never saw myself being placed in a political environment. Receiving the title of “Best Opening Speech”, I saw myself having the ability in pursuing political pathways. One of the biggest regrets from the simulation was not running myself for a position as Chair or Vice Chair, as only males were running. Looking at it now, I would have wanted to appeal to the female population in the room, questioning them on why we normalize leadership in men. I saw as much political empowerment in females during the whole simulation, and I knew that I have gained a new aspect of confidence I did not have before. Being able to connect the simulation to my initial passion, I became prideful in the country I was representing, and the stances I was taking.
I still talk to dozens of people from all corners of the Americas, from the conference room. Struggling to say goodbye, as my group rushed to catch the train was one of the hardest things I have had to do. I did not say “goodbye” to them, but “see you soon”. My passion has allowed me to continue my steps, by creating a non-profit organization at my highschool with a student. This non-profit organization is entitled the Global Cafe, which is a pen-pal program through the foreign language department, connecting students from our school to other students abroad. I have truly seen the power of communication, understanding and realizing common problems among a group of different individuals. I hope to have the opportunity to return to the simulation, where my passion was ignited in a way I never found possible.