As part of Bond University’s overseas study tour offerings, international relations and journalism students have the opportunity to travel overseas to immerse themselves in diplomacy through Model United Nations (UN) conferences around the globe, from Japan to New York.
There's one image from the 2025 New York Model United Nations conference that Bond University Assistant Professor of International Relations Dr Mark Dinnen will never forget: Saxon McGregor rehearsing his speech in a Times Square snowstorm. The Bachelor of International Relations/Bachelor of Laws student was tasked with delivering the opening statement for the World Federation of UN Associations (WFUNA) International Model United Nations (WIMUN) conference and there was no better practice run than delivering his speech among thousands of passersby in the heart of New York City.
The 2025 cohort brought the number of students to participate in the Bond University Model UN program to 105.
"Their spirit was evident in everything they did," Assistant Professor Dinnen says.
"You had students using the café at the New York Public Library for last-minute research before a high-level meeting with the UN Secretary-General's Spokesperson.
"These weren't isolated moments; they were the standard for a group defined by their ambition to extract every ounce of learning from their time in New York."
Model UN conferences allow students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to a practical setting and represent a country, a global organisation, or be a journalist during the conference. They also get to play tourist in bucket list destinations.
“The inclusion of study tours as part of the Bond University International Relations program really allows our students the opportunity to engage in international affairs and international relations,” Bond University Assistant Professor of International Relations Dr Mark Dinnen says.
“It helps them develop a skillset of diplomacy.”
The 2025 delegation of six students began their New York trip by meeting with policy advisors, lawyers, and government representatives, including AUSTRADE Commissioner and Bond alumna (Class of 2010), Rachel Howard.
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws student Sienna Grubb says her key takeaway was advice from Ms Howard to always lead with a narrative.
"In every aspect of life, I want to lead with some form of purpose and not go into something without having meaning behind it. I think that’s a good sentiment to bring to diplomacy — and to bring in and out of the classroom — because you shouldn’t be doing something without having an aim and an end goal," Sienna says.
For Saxon, a highlight was witnessing how diplomacy can work on small and large scales.
"The most important lesson for me has been the way in which people from different embassies, consulate generals and policy advisors so warmly welcomed us to their offices and had fruitful conversations with us, sharing their insight and professional experiences," he says.
"This trip came during my final semester of studying international relations at Bond so I've been able to transfer what I've learnt in the classroom to an international conference. I'm also able to understand how to approach sensitive conversations, and how to politely and diplomatically enter conversations with people from different embassies and international areas.
"These are experiences I wouldn't have gained if I were to have only studied in the classroom."
Saxon McGregor at WIMUN.
Saxon McGregor at WIMUN.
Bond's 2025 Model UN cohort with AUSTRADE Commissioner Rachel Howard.
Bond's 2025 Model UN cohort with AUSTRADE Commissioner Rachel Howard.
A key component of the North America study tour is the WIMUN conference — a simulation of the United Nations. The conference is reinvented each year to push delegates beyond the familiar. One year, students might be debating global security in the Security Council; the next, they could be navigating the complex, real-world protocols of the International Labour Organization or the UN Environment Assembly. The variety provides a panoramic view of the entire UN system.
WFUNA equips every delegate with well-researched guides that serve as a launchpad for deep, informed debate. Assistant Professor Dinnen says this ensures that discussions aren't just theoretical but grounded in real policy and focused on finding meaningful solutions. He says a group's success is determined by how they embrace the opportunity, and the 2025 group, guided by their Head Delegate Sienna, seized it with both hands.
Bond's 2025 delegation took home WIMUN's Best Small Delegation (University) Award for the fifth time.
"I was immensely proud watching the team engage with high-level diplomats, seeing Saxon deliver his address in the UN General Assembly Hall, and celebrating their well-deserved awards at the closing ceremony," Assistant Professor Dinnen says.
He says the true strength of the global MUN experience is a powerful blend of individual drive and collective support, creating a contagious energy for attendees. He recalls the moment Sienna joined the General Assembly in negotiating a complex resolution on humanitarian relief.
"There were no raised placards or rigid speeches. Instead, the room was a dynamic circle of collaboration, with delegates from universities all over the world huddled together, working line by line to build consensus," he says.
Students participating in Model United Nations have the capacity to build upon the skills that employers want to see in graduates including critical thinking and collaboration.
“Those are remarkably attractive facets to have,” he says. “The important part of these study tours is it gives you an opportunity to practise what we’ve been preaching to you the whole time you’ve been at university, on the international stage.”
The dozens of graduates who participated in the Bond University Model UN program have gone on to have a variety of careers across politics, international relations, law, arts and communications. Journalist and alumna Cloe Read experienced a Model United nations through a different lens to Saxon and Sienna. While completing her Bachelor of Journalism in 2017, Cloe took part in Japanese English Model United Nations in Osaka as a video journalist.
Cloe (centre) took part in a Model United Nations as a journalist.
Cloe (centre) took part in a Model United Nations as a journalist.
She knew the conference would be fast-paced and hard work, but says it would remain one of the greatest stories she will ever tell.
“As a journalist, we make connections with everyone we talk to. Japan provided me with an endless amount of connections — everyone was willing to add me on social media and promises were made to visit if we travelled to each other’s countries again,” Cloe says.
“Having this experience behind me, I have become a far better journalist and have broadened my knowledge on the United Nations and subsequently international relations in general.”
Eight years on, JEMUN 2025 delegate Erika Carroll echoed Cloe's sentiments.
"Being involved in JEMUN reminded me of the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, and the experience allowed me to form strong relationships with fellow university students from across Japan, especially our counterparts from Komatsu University, who were all extremely welcoming, kind and excited to introduce us to Japanese culture," Erika says.
"The opportunity to use theory from the classroom in the context of an international context was invaluable."
Since Cloe’s participation in JEMUN in 2017, the Study Tour has evolved into a sixteen-day cultural program spanning a third of Japan, offering students a rich mix of educational, historical, and cultural experiences and opportunities. A key highlight of the 2025 JEMUN Study Tour, which is supported by the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan, was the meaningful cultural connections forged by the student delegation.
"The friendships and memories made with the JEMUN team are something I will cherish forever."
Published on Wednesday, 13 August, 2025.
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