#2 Reflection (ym)

  
     Playing Diplomatic Risk reminded me of "The Trading Game" I played when I was in 8th grade. It was the second day of the International Coopearation Forum I participated in Tokyo, which was held by a NGO in Japan called Shaplaneer.

     In The Trading Game, each team will start with a set of trading cards and materials that represents their country's worth. The game allows for "free trade", meaning any country can trade with another country, and any item and/or amount of product can be traded for another. The one and only goal of the whole game is to "earn as much money from the World Bank as you can". At first, each team will try to make products by themselves to earn as much money they can receive from the World Bank. However, I still remember on the second half of the game, all the teams started free trading with the other teams, even creating new allies to make their relationships stronger. Obviously, that is the whole point of these simulation games. However, as a 13 year old middle schooler. I have learned so much about how the International community and economy are formed. I have also been in chage of the chair of The Trading Game in my school in Japan, because my teacher and I wanted the juniors to have the same experience as me, and have some interests in the field of International Relations. I remember how much fun my juniors were having while playing this game, and how much they were learning when I was explaining the whole point of the game and its reflection.

     I still remember when I was in middle school, I did not know what I want to do in the future at all. Participating in the International Cooperation Forum held by Shaplaneer was my first action ever related to my future dream, and to learn about International Cooperation / Relations. Therefore, playing Diplomatic Risk, which is similar to The Trading Game in college made me think how much time have passed, and how I have developed my interest to this field that I felt that I want to keep learning.

     However, I still cannot guess all of the objectives in each team, so I think it is definitely more complicated compared to The Trading Game I have played, and I am excited for the next two classes ◡̈⃝◡̈⃝ (I still do not have an idea why am I the Head of State…)