Friday, February 6

Levermore Global Scholars Tour the United Nations

On Friday, February 6th, a group of fourteen LGS scholars set forth from Adelphi University and ventured out into New York City. Led by LGS Coordinator Yana Kusayeva, these LGS scholars had one goal in mind - to tour the United Nations.

The entrance to the UN is adorned by its trademark flags from all member countries, but that day they were not flying due to the cold. The Students put on brave faces, however, and examined other statues and sculptures outside as they waited to go through the security checkpoint.

Passing the checkpoint brought our team into the lobby of the main building. There are beautiful and informative art exhibits for the visitor to examine, and one in particular, about child soldiers, sobered many LGS students. From the lobby, the scholars met with Besnik, a UN tour guide from Albania, who was very knowledgeable about the history of the organization. Leading them through the inner chambers of the building, the scholars saw many priceless treasures donated as gifts to the UN from member countries. Highlights included a guitar made from a gun, donated by Columbia, and an enormous tapestry, donated by Belarus, in honor of the victims of the Chernobyl. Continuing on, the students had a chance to sit in the General Assembly and discuss the history of the United Nations.

"Sitting in such a recognizable room and realizing that this is where important decisions are made – it's pretty powerful," said freshman scholar Haroula Tsolakidis.  Perhaps even more powerful, however, was the replica of the Nobel Peace Prize that the students saw next, or the countless pictures of children from around the world. Concluding the tour, the students left the main floor and went to the gift shop and United Nations mailroom. It was a fun and informative day for LGS students.

Written by Haroula Tsolakidis, LGS freshman