In Salzburg with Pacific McGeorge: Lauren Hashimoto

Lauren Hashimoto, who will soon begin her second-year studies at Pacific McGeorge, is one of more than 100 American and foreign law students attending the law school’s Summer International Legal Studies Program in Salzburg, Austria this month. The Bay area native earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science in 2006 from the University of California, Davis. Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the Supreme Court of the United States will be teaching in Salzburg for his 18 th consecutive year. He taught Constitutional Law on campus as an adjunct professor at Pacific McGeorge from 1965 until his elevation to the nation’s high court in 1988.

July 28, 2007

A Final Farewell to Salzburg

As I sit on yet another train, the landscape changes dramatically as I pass through Austria, then Germany, and on to France. I’ll miss the rolling green hills of Salzburg. Yesterday was the last day of the program in Salzburg and it was quite a whirlwind day. Only now can I reflect on how I will miss buying pretzel bread, sausage, and salami for lunch, making the trek to class in the morning across the river and through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, passing by the elegant looking fountain in Mozart Plaza, listening to the din of church bells at a seemingly random hour, enjoying the entertainment provided by street musicians, and being tempted by the healthy number of gelato vendors along our route.

Thursday night was spent in a studying fervor. After the stress of the final exam was over yesterday morning, I could look forward to the closing dinner. The weather cooperated and provided the perfect backdrop for the festivities, an almost surreal blue sky dotted with white clouds. Justice Kennedy graciously posed for everyone who wanted to take a picture with him, including myself. These will be photos that we will covet and perhaps hang on our future office walls. The dinner was a nice tribute to the program and to the accomplishments of everyone involved.

Afterwards, my friend and I went to a low-key wine bar and sampled some Austrian wines. The bartender was friendly as we discussed politics with him including the popular topic of Austrian native Arnold Schwarzenegger. Before we left, he had us sign the wine bar guestbook. As we flipped through the pages, we saw a note signed “the Sacramento law students” from some years prior. It struck me how Salzburg has become a home away from home and a tradition for Pacific McGeorge students, a location that will hold a special place in all of our memories. I couldn’t think of a better place for the program. Austria’s convenient central location in Europe also afforded me the opportunity to make fun weekend trips to Prague, Venice, Florence, and Munich. My trip is not over yet as I will be staying in Paris with my friend, Lucie, a bona fide Parisian. I can’t wait to see the city with her help but I can’t help feeling sad about saying goodbye to Salzburg.

July 25, 2007

It’s All Ending Too Soon

Class is drawing to a close this week. Today was Justice Kennedy’s last lecture. It is unfortunate at how quickly this experience is ending. The course material really makes me look forward to Constitutional Law class next year to touch on these issues in more depth. We still have two more classes with Professor Douglas-Scott. She is an amazing and eloquent teacher, I only wish that I had the opportunity to take more classes from her.

After class today, we made a quick trip over to Munich. The train ride is less than two hours! Munich was very cosmopolitan and so bustling that you would never imagine it was a Tuesday morning. We didn’t have much time but managed to spend part of the day at Hofbrauhaus that was founded in 1589. We sat outside listening to traditional German music. I ate the best goulash and dumplings I’ve had so far on this trip and I’ve tried plenty of goulash here!

As the final exam approaches, there is less spare time. I’m starting to worry about lugging around those bags again but I know Paris will be worth it!

July 23, 2007

A Weekend Visit to Venice and Florence

It’s good to be back in Salzburg after a weekend trip to Venice and Florence. An Italian train strike held us up in Florence for an unexpected extra 12 hours and we made it back to the dorm at 7 a.m., just in time for 9 a.m. class. Venice was amazing despite the sweltering heat. We spent the day there traveling on water buses through the canals, eating gelato, and shopping for Murano glass. St. Mark’s Square was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve seen so far in Europe. By a fortunate accident, we stayed the night at a small and peaceful bed and breakfast just outside of Venice.

In Florence, I had the opportunity to see Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia art museum. It was even bigger and more impressive than I imagined and it was well worth the wait in line. I also had some of the best food I’ve had so far on this trip, including a traditional Italian tiramisu.

July 18, 2007

Lots to See and Do in Salzburg

After class during the week, I’ve found time to fit in sightseeing around Salzburg. Today we visited the fortress, Festung Hohensalzburg, which overlooks the city. It was the first opportunity I had to truly appreciate the city I’ve been living in for the past two weeks. The birdseye view of the river and the buildings was so beautiful it almost looked fake, like a doctored postcard. Beside the spectacular views, there was time to tour an interesting history museum and a uniquely memorable marionette museum. I’ve heard that the closing dinner is also held at the fortress, so I am looking forward to seeing the views at night.

Later, we made the short trek to the Augustiner brewery, a cavernous hall beside a monastery where Augustinian monks have brewed beer since 1621. The beer garden was such a festive environment with outdoor tables and trees. The beer is served in tall ceramic steins and there is an assortment of traditional Austrian food available.

I’m also happy today because I was able to push my flight back three days in order to extend my European adventure to visit a friend in Paris!

July 16, 2007

On to Vienna and Prague

After a week of winter-like weather and the occasional torrential downpour forced me to buy a jacket and a scarf, the hot weather came back with a vengeance on Saturday. The days pass too quickly now, especially with class Monday through Thursday. Justice Kennedy has been a witty, humble, and dignified professor. Hearing his perspectives on the U.S. Constitution has been fascinating. The European portion of our comparative class is taught by Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott. Because I don’t have much of a background in international law, I find her lectures about fundamental rights in Europe particularly interesting as well.

Last weekend, instead of going on the weekend trip to Vienna planned through McGeorge program, I spent one night in Vienna and continued on to Prague in the Czech Republic. It was nice to see Europe outside of Salzburg for the first time. In Vienna, we walked around the downtown area. Mastering each city’s various metros and underground trams is always interesting at first but can be quite rewarding. We also toured Schonbrunn Palace, the summer imperial residence. I especially liked walking through the immense gardens which had a multitude of mazes, statues, and flowers.

Prague was a big change from both Salzburg and Vienna. My favorite part was the view from the Charles Bridge and the street vendors that sold unique-looking jewelry, as well as the view from Prague Castle. There was also lots of night activity with bars and clubs that have given me the opportunity to try Prague’s regional beers. We’ve met people from all over the world. I’ve enjoyed hearing their varying opinions on Americans.

The heat on the train ride from Prague to Salzburg was unbearable, but I couldn't have been happier to return. Salzburg has undoubtedly become my home away from home --clean, friendly, and beautiful. After a weekend of hostel living, our dorm seemed like a five-star hotel. I can’t believe how attached I am to this place already!

July 9, 2007

Hello from Salzburg!

I finally made it to Salzburg yesterday. I was anxious about traveling by myself but the trip went smoothly. After arriving at the Vienna airport, I managed to catch the bus to the Wien Westbahnhof station and to successfully board the three-hour train from Vienna to Salzburg.

My luggage was as troublesome as I expected, but people were friendly in helping me lift them up any stairs I encountered or into overhead compartments. The train ride was a surprise treat. I got to see three hours of Austrian countryside! Everything looked just as I imagined it would -- very majestic and green. The houses were equally as beautiful with many of them having planter boxes of colorful flowers lining the windows.

By the time I reached Salzburg, I was exhausted but could not wait to drop off my bags and start enjoying the city. On the way to the Wolf Dietrichheim dorm, I ran into two classmates who had just got in from Munich and were enjoying fresh pasta and a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe. The dorm is nestled in between many shops and is a few blocks from tons of cafes, bakeries, and markets.

Today, the morning started early with the “get acquainted bike ride” along the Salzach River. The weather was absolutely perfect. The path wound through areas with dense trees and through open meadows, all with a backdrop of towering mountains. Eight miles out, we stopped at a beer garden and enjoyed Radler beer and an Austrian lunch. I plan on renting a bike again later this week to explore more. Biking seems to be a popular form of transportation in Salzburg.

Tonight, we attended the opening dinner at a restaurant across the river and up a steep cobblestone street, just below the fortress overlooking Salzburg. It unexpectedly started pouring rain on the way there catching us all unprepared and drenched. But it was so fun to get dressed up and to catch up with classmates. Dinner was served sitting down in a large hall that had lots of dark woods, chandeliers, and an amazing painted ceiling. The food was good, especially the dessert of apple strudel.

Dinner was also our first opportunity to meet Justice Kennedy. It seemed unreal to be sitting only a table away from someone who wields so much influence over the daily lives of all Americans with the decisions he makes. I’m looking forward to starting his class, Fundamental Rights in Europe and United States, tomorrow. The reading load looks rigorous but with the downpour outside, it’s comfortable to stay inside and read. I will write again later this week to update on the class and also about the weekend trip to Prague that I have planned.

Monday, July 2

Preparing for Salzburg

I’m excitedly packing for my three-week stay in Salzburg. Three weeks are going to fly by! Against my better judgment, my stuffed luggage makes it look like I should be staying much longer though. Besides being anxious about paying an “excess baggage” fee and about lugging these bags through the airport and onto the European train system, I have been ridden with other “worries” in my usual expectant and overeager way. How can I see, experience, and absorb as much of Europe and Austria as possible in such a short period of time without a sensory overload? What will it be like to take a course taught by a sitting Supreme Court Justice?

In many ways, the Salzburg summer program will be a perfect culmination to a successful first year of law school. I had similar pre-law school jitters as I impatiently waited for the 2006-2007 year to begin. Having not only survived but actually having enjoyed this past academic year, I see the Salzburg trip as an opportunity to implement my new legal skills all while enjoying one of the most beautiful places in the world. I look forward to indulging in the Austrian food and drink, navigating my way to Prague or Paris (or maybe both), singing along with “The Sound of Music” tour, appreciating the company of my peers and professors, including two of my first-year professors (Professor Julie Davies and Professor Thom Main), bicycling and exploring around the city, and keeping this blog updated from one of Salzburg’s internet cafes!!!