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A group of eighth graders from Redwood Coast Montessori School in Manila are about to take the trip of a lifetime.

They’ll first head to New York City to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations conference at the UN headquarters, then to Washington D.C. to do some sightseeing.

The conference is a global education simulation experience where students step into the shoes of ambassadors from different countries and debate current issues. Student delegates that participate spend months researching an assigned country and issue, then write position papers and prepare speeches.

Students from Redwood Coast were assigned Peru, Panama and Switzerland, with issues ranging from curbing terrorism and supporting equal access to the rule of law, to improving gender equality and sustainable agricultural development.

At the conference they’ll present their speeches, and collaborate with students from around the world to draft resolutions on the issues. The simulation parallels the way the UN works.

“I think that MMUN is a great way to open your mind up to see something a different way,” said Luan Scrivner, a Redwood Coast student attending the trip. “And especially because you can’t think like an American about the problem, you have to become this delegate from another country and so, in many ways, it’s just such an eye opener.”

The students have not only worked hard academically, they’ve spent their spare time raising money for the trip. They handcraft and sell organic soaps and candles, ceramic soap dishes, magical origami light chains, cloth napkins, and hand-printed cards. 

In this LoCO Video Report we talk to a few of the students and learn how they feel about this well-deserved big trip.