Comprehensive Study Guide: Harvard MUN and Travel Logistics 2024

Administrative Timeline and Booking Procedures

• Booking Status and Timing: Booking is not currently open, and there is a recommendation to wait until it officially opens to secure the best rates. Caution is advised as certain rates are non-refundable.

• Visa and Group Appointments: Group appointments for visas are scheduled for the beginning of October and November. This follows the standard annual procedure.

• Deadlines: There is a crucial deadline on May $23$ for the submission of the Google Form, which must be signed. This includes uploading the contract and documenting the original payment date.

• Timeline for Communication: Moving forward, direct communication with students will begin in January. Information will be shared with both students and parents via group messages and emails.

Travel and Passport Requirements

• Airlines: Travel options include the following airlines:

  • Air France

  • Turkish Airlines

  • Emirates

  • Middle East Airlines (MEA)

  • Lufthansa

  • Delta

• Routes: Flight paths mentioned include connections through Frankfurt, Boston, and potentially other hubs depending on group availability.

• Passport Regulations by Nationality:

  • European Passports: No visa is required; only an online authorization is necessary.

  • Canadian Passports: No visa required.

  • Australian Passports: No visa required.

  • Lebanese Passports: A visa is mandatory.

  • Armenian Passports: A visa is mandatory.

• Expiration Constraints: Documentation must be valid through at least the end of June or early July ($2027$ is mentioned in a specific context).

Training and Educational Preparation

• Schedule and Training Modality:

  • Training sessions are planned to start in August.

  • There is a proposal to hold sessions in July, possibly over the weekends, to accommodate students who may be away (e.g., from July $5$ to July $12$).

  • Training will involve video calls and potentially in-person sessions at the evangelical school.

• Session Structure: There will be approximately two to three training sessions for the school group. Private adviser training is also an option depending on the group's needs.

• Curriculum Goals: The training focuses on preparation before departure, including "ice-breaking" between students and the team. Academic skills emphasized include:

  • Negotiation techniques.

  • Public speaking and the ability to stand up and present.

  • Defending a country's opinion or specific policy stances.

  • Finding solutions for complex international problems.

Logistics, Accommodations, and Financials

• Accommodations:

  • The group will stay at a hotel near the Prudential Mall (referred to as the Prudential Mall Hotel).

  • Students have the autonomy to choose their own roommates.

  • Rooms typically accommodate two or three students.

• Financial Budgeting:

  • Daily Food Allowance: The suggested budget for food is approximately $40$ dollars per day ($40\,USD$).

  • Breakfast Budgeting: Explicit warnings were given that hotels often do not offer breakfast options within a standard budget. A separate budget for breakfast might be $10$ to $15$ dollars ($10\,USD$ to $15\,USD$) for items like a croissant, doughnut, and coffee.

• Security and Advisers: Safety is identified as the highest priority. Private advisers will be available for logistics like Uber or taxis to ensure the security of the students.

• Laptops: Students are expected to bring laptops or Apple devices for coursework and conference needs.

The Harvard Model United Nations (MUN) Program

• Nature of the Conference: The Harvard MUN is described as the most prestigious conference of its kind, differentiating it from other regional version such as those held in Qatar or Dubai.

• Comparison to Other Models: While the strategy, concept, and way of thinking are consistent across different programs, Harvard MUN is often more difficult and prestigious.

• Related Events:

  • Harvard Model Congress (HMC) International: Occurs in January.

  • Harvard Model Congress Boston: Occurs in February.

  • Harvard Model Congress Europe: Occurs in March.

  • Harvard MUN (Alternative Location): Mention of BC/LA specifically for Harvard MUN sessions.

Questions & Discussion

• Online Joining: A question was raised regarding how to ensure students have an equal opportunity to join the August training sessions online. The response confirmed that equal opportunity for participation in video call training is a priority.

• Refund Policy: A participant asked about the refundability of bookings if things are not yet open. The answer clarified that current appointments are for group slots in October/November and that earlier bookings carry non-refundable risks.

• Roommate Selection: Barbara asked if students could choose their roommates. The confirmation was an emphatic "Yes," noting that this usually happens at a later stage of the process.

• Administrative Processing: Mia Maria inquired about internal information regarding students from various regions such as Brazil, the Dominican Republic, or certain islands. It was noted that such cases might require extra clearance or administrative processing for New York/University-related travel.

• Receipt Confirmation: Aileen asked about receiving an email acknowledgment or receipt for the Google Form submission. The response indicated that no receipt mail is necessary from the administrative end as long as the upload is successful.

• Training Comparisons: A participant asked if the MUN concepts in Qatar or Dubai are the same level as the Harvard ones. The speaker confirmed they share the same strategic concept and skills, though Harvard remains the premier event.