It is true what everybody is telling you. America is different, American Law School is different – and you don’t know where to start.
The
first three weeks at Columbia Law School (It is also true what everybody is
telling you: time flies!), were essentially meant to simulate the upcoming
eight month and to introduce us to America: the American way of teaching
(interactive), the American way of thinking (case-oriented), the American way
of shopping (Amazon), the American way of living, the American way of studying
(a lot), the American food (a lot), the American way of socializing (Why do Law
School events always start so early?)…
We
were provided with first legal insights to America in the obligatory courses ‘Introduction
to the American Legal System’ and ‘Legal Writing and Research’ (however, lawyers
with Common Law background may take an opt-out exam). In a broad survey, we
touched upon various topics which are hotly debated in and somehow characterize
America: guns, election, free speech, the Supreme Court, the tort system, Hot
Coffee, economic approaches to the law, professional rules and norms, jury
trials, equal protection, gender, race, etc. Meanwhile, we already got an
impression what studying at US Law School means: not only active participation
in class is expected, but even more importantly: reading, reading, reading…and
reading. The reader encompassed historical, topical and controversial cases as
well as analytical articles, and amounted to ‘just’ one thousand four hundred and fourteen pages. At least, Americans seem to like movies: the two
movies and countless YouTube-videos presented in class were a welcome illustration of the factual background.
‘Legal Writing and Research’ had a different agenda:
understanding and applying Common Law tools. How to apply IRAC, how to write a
case brief, how to synthesize a case, how to distinguish between holding and
dicta etc. – in short, how Common Law works.
If this sounds like work, then I can confirm your
impression. But! If you want to get to know your classmates and US students, if
you intend to explore the city and its rich (and almost overwhelming – where do
I start?) offer, if you are interested in connecting with faculty members,
there are plenty of opportunities (if you can happily live with the feeling not
to have read (all) the optional readings;)). Law School Societies, the Faculty
and your fellow LLM-students organize lots of introductory talks, activities
(not only in bars, but also to get to know the city), LLM-soccer-matches and
parties. And if this is not enough: New York has something to offer...
It is true: America is different. American Law School is
different. But the first three weeks here wonderfully introduce you to it. They
do help you to orient yourself and to adapt. The first feeling of being
overwhelmed by food, To-Dos, organizational issues, bank accounts, FOMO, New
York, ah just everything: it will vanish. But I hope/fear that this will remain:
the feeling not to know where to start.
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