Room 107

In the beginning, I could not believe what I was seeing. I could not believe what I was hearing. I was baffled, probably still shaking my head in sleep. But I was also astonished. What I was experiencing all happened in a packed room, where JDs and LLMs were nervously sitting, sometimes moaning, sometimes laughing. More precisely, I experienced all this in room 107.

No. I do not want to write about the presidential debate itself. There is enough coverage on that. But it is worth writing not only about the unique debate, but also about the unique ‘public viewing’ experience. Back in Germany, ‘public viewing’ was invented for viewing sports (well, basically soccer) in crowds on public places. Since the World Cup 2006, Soccer ‘fans’ and everybody else dress up in their national jerseys drink overpriced beer and eat overpriced Bratwurst, chant weird songs, cheer together, suffer together, and maybe perhaps eventually also watch some scenes of the game. Standing or better squeezing in front of a huge screen with huge speakers. Please excuse all the details, but Wikipedia just thought me that ‘public viewing’ (even though an English expression) seems to be a quite German thing.

Well, after having written this detailed description, I just realize what happened here in room 107, was more a ‘public viewing light’. No Trump or Clinton T-shirts, no songs, no overpriced, but rather free beer, no Bratwurst (!), but rather very American chips and candy. However, attentive listening and close watching, debating, commenting, cheering for good arguments, grumbling if the debate turned nasty and aimed below the belt, which however, if it grew too noisy, was immediately interrupted by a loud ‘pssssssssst’. The atmosphere was great. Tension was in the air – and here is a parallel: like in Germany v Italy, the crazy penalty shot out – remember? A remarkable difference to German ‘public viewing’, however: it happened in Room 107 Jerome Green. Student organizations arranged everything (except for good speakers), and students came there. Why remarkably? Because I believe it is just a unique and awesome feature of law schools in the US, and LLM-programs in particular – their community life.

In the beginning, I was bewildered and astonished. Astonished about the great community life at law school. And bewildered how (different) politics here in the US looks like.

Now, three debates later, interestingly I am neither bewildered nor astonished. With respect to the community life, I think it is wonderful. But with respect to politics, I don’t know if it is a good or a bad thing.

But in any event, it seems to mean: I have arrived in America. I have arrived at Columbia Law School.

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Dogs

I did expect New Yorks to be a diverse city. I expected diversity with regard to people, neighborhoods, architecture, activities, art, food, opportunities, events. But, shame on me, an element of diversity, I did not expect, but which I learned very soon is: dogs.

Dogs. Dogs. Dogs. Dogs seem to rule New York. At least, they seem to hold the parks. Central Park, Morningside Park, Riverside Park, if I just mention the parks, which are within 15 minute walking distance of Columbia Law School. Dogs are everywhere. Dogs outnumber the people strolling trough parks. (Professional dog-walkers don’t seem to be a Hollywood-invention, but do really exist)

You might think: how exciting. There are always dogs in parks. Ok true, maybe I am just not used to so many parks (a distinct feature of Columbia’s surrounding). But what I find even more striking is the great ‘dog-diversity’: Small, mouse-like dogs and tall, calf-like dogs. Big dogs and thin dogs. Friendly dogs and aggressive dogs. Beautiful dogs and ugly dogs. Playful dogs, hunting squirrels and chasing balls, and lazy dogs, who – if at all – walk on their own (some are even more clever and convinced the master to carry them). Well-trained dogs, always walking next to the owner, and overly curious dogs, exploring every single corner of the park, but not listening to the master. Hipster-dogs from Brooklyn and Williamsburg and classic-style dogs. Maybe even burger-eating dogs and vegetarian dogs.

What’s the link to Columbia Law School life? I could talk about the famous ‘dog-bite’ problem you will discuss in Legal Research and Writing class. But I won’t. And so far I don’t know about a dog-society (another founding idea?!). But there are numerous societies, you may join. And if they somehow involve an outdoor activity, you cannot but experience the dog-diversity. Just as I did this morning, when training with the Triathlon-Team, and being attacked by small, thin, friendly, ok-looking playful, curious, morningside-style, fortunately vegan dog.

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