THE LS HOUSING MODEL

Por Camille Valdes

Northeastern University

Durante los últimos meses nosotros, los estudiantes de Legal Studies, hemos estado viviendo juntos en un apartamento con una profesora de Derecho de la Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. La verdad, esto ha sido una experiencia increíble que no se debería cambiar. Uno pensaría que vivir con una profesora te cohibiría de salir o algo por ese estilo pero no es así para nada. El alojamiento es básicamente como si vivieras en tu propio apartamento y puedes venir y salir cuando quieras. En cuanto a vivir con una profesora, también es una situación favorable para los estudiantes de Legal Studies ya que si tenemos alguna duda sobre algún tema de nuestras asignaturas, le podemos preguntar. Es un recurso que pienso que se perdería si cambian el tipo de alojamiento al de un anfitrión por estudiante. Sin embargo, no es tan solo el hecho de tener a una profesora ahí para ayudarte pero también es tener a los otros estudiantes de LS ahí contigo que también te pueden ayudar si tienes duda sobre algún tema de Derecho. Entre nosotros, como ya dije aprendemos, ya sea a suponer Nicky contándonos de su practica y lo que ha visto o aprendió en los tribunales o en un bufete de abogados. Si no es Nicky, es alguno de nosotros hablando de un tema interesante que aprendimos en una de nuestras asignaturas. Lo importante de este alojamiento es que estamos constantemente aprendiendo de cada uno y estamos accesible para aclarar dudas si tenemos un examen de nuestras asignaturas en común como Legal Language o Law in Contemporary Spain.
En mi primer año de universidad viví en un sistema más o menos similar, vivíamos los del mismo grado en un piso. Esto lo hizo más fácil para estudiar y como dicho anteriormente aclarar dudas. Claro, esto sólo fue así por el primer año, luego cada uno se fue por diferentes caminos. Sin embargo, pienso que cuando empiezas algo nuevo es bueno tener a las personas que tienen un mismo interés de estudios cerca de ti. Esto es lo que se nos dio oportunidad en mi primer año de universidad y aquí en Madrid. El sistema de alojamiento es ideal para los estudiantes de LS y con una anfitriona como Sabela no hay porqué hacer algún cambio para mejorar el alojamiento.

THE LS INTERNSHIP

By Nicole Tiger

Brandeis University

Hi! Nicky here again to tell you all about my adventures during my Legal Studies Internship here in Madrid. While there probably aren’t enough words of praise to describe this experience, I’ll do my best to explain. However, before I start, I need to shout out a huge thank you to Paco and Helena, my internship coordinators, without whom I would have been completely lost.

My journey started at the bufete (law firm) de García Peña & Andújar. My supervisor there Eduardo García Peña was extremely accommodating and informative. I felt very professional sitting at my own desk everyday across from 3 of Spain’s best abogadas (women lawyers). Not only was the environment very friendly and comfortable, but I was made to feel that I could ask any question at any time. My favorite aspect of my time with GP&A was the fact that while I learned a ton studying different cases everyday, I also was able to make my own contributions. At least once a day I found myself acting as a translator for emails to clients, and often I was able to sit in on live meetings that required translating. It was also especially cool that I was able to participate on an active case and see it through to the end. I aided in the process of the jury selection and was called in to Eduardo’s office when the sentencia was read for the first time at the end of the trial. I truly felt part of the legal team at GP&A and gained invaluable knowledge during my time there.

The second stop on my Internship agenda was the Ministerio de Justicia de España (Spain’s Ministry of Justice). Among other things, there I learned that the role of a Fiscal (prosecutor) has the potential to extend far beyond the duties of a courtroom. I was able to spend some time with a Fiscal during her docket and in between trials, and there I witnessed the conduct and responsibilities that belong to a Fiscal as la Acusación (prosecution). Her responsibility was to represent the public interest and place the welfare of the society above all else, including the personal wishes of the victim. This is precisely why the Spanish legal system created the role of la Acusación Particular (a private attorney to represent the interests of the victim or victim’s family). Aside from my time with Conchita Miranda in the courtroom, I truly value the time I spent with Ángel Núñez Sánchez, a Fiscal that works within the Ministerio de Justicia drafting legislation. It was an incredibly enlightening and exclusive experience to read over his anteproyectos de ley (drafts of legislation) and then be able to ask him personally, as the author, questions about the documents. I was able to learn about the complicated process of how laws are enacted in Spain as well as get inside the head of the a person responsible for a phase in this long procedure. In addition, I also spent time with a Judicial Secretary, an advisor to the Secretary of State, and an Abogado del Estado (a lawyer who exclusively represents the interests of the State).

The final phase of my Internship brings me to the Audiencia Provincial where I spend my days with a Magistrate, el Magistrado Don Juan José López Ortega. It’s really amazing to be able to talk and reason with a Magistrate in order to better understand the decisions he’s faced with everyday. I feel truly honored to be able to get his perspective on cases before hand and then sit in his courtroom as he presides over the trial itself. Overall, I feel this Internship has allowed me to observe a courtroom from every angle. I can now say that I know and understand the perspective of almost every person sitting in a courtroom during a criminal procedure. This Internship, while also the most work, has been my favorite class this semester. I have learned more about el Derecho Español (Spanish law) from spending time in these legal environments than I did in any of my classes. In fact, this Internship prepared me to be a better student in all my other classes. One of my goals for studying abroad in Spain in a Legal Studies program was to gather enough information to be able to conduct a thorough comparison between the judicial cultures of Spain and the U.S. so that I could develop my own opinions. I can say confidently that this Internship experience assured the completion of that goal one hundred times over. To find out my actual opinions on the similarities and differences between the two legal systems, you’ll just have to read my final paper.

THE CARLOS III UNIVERSITY

By Virginia Burke

University of Mississippi

La Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, more commonly known as Carlos Tres, is considered a very prestigious university for the study of law in Spain. After spending two months at the university I can definitely see why. The quality of the professors is unparalleled. I am fortunate enough to have instructors that are both leaders in their fields of study but take the time to make sure that their students understand the material from their classes and are enjoying their study abroad experience in Madrid and at the university.  Not only do the professors at Carlos Tres give inspiring lectures, they are willing to take the learning outside of the classroom so that students can see the judicial process firsthand.

            The students at Carlos Tres are equally impressive and I have yet to meet an unfriendly classmate. The Spanish students are more than happy to explain concepts and terms that I do not understand and eager to share many different aspects of their culture with exchange students. The university is also very popular among ERASMUS students or students that are on exchange from other European universities which gives the university a very cosmopolitan and diverse feel. It has been very easy to make new friends and study partners.

            The facilities at the university are very modern and the campus is very compact which makes getting to and from classes very easy. While the idea of a 45 minute commute on a train to school is a new concept for me I have found myself enjoying this time to reflect upon my experiences thus far. Overall my experience at Carlos Tres has been a positive one. Though I have had my occasional moments of confusion over different things such as how to print a document or order food in the cafeteria I have been lucky to find another student willing to help me figure out all of the necessary details. Though the course work is challenging I am sure that my experiences at the university will be very valuable when I start law school in the US.

VISITING THE REINA SOFIA: FEMINISM THROUGH ART

By Virginia Burke

University of Mississipi

This past Saturday the Legal Studies group visited The Reina Sofia museum and specifically a new exhibit on feminism. Though this was my first visit to the museum I am quite accustomed to The Reina Sofia library where I like to go to study on days that I do not have class. The Reina Sofia building itself is very impressive. With glass elevators and marble floors the structure itself is immense.

The art gallery for the feminism exhibit was equally impressive and I was amazed by the breadth and depth of the works shown. With rooms that profiled the roles of women throughout many ages the art was very thought provoking.  This fit perfectly with the law theme for the week, gender based violence. In Spain violent acts committed based on gender discrimination qualify as crimes against the state because they are violations of fundamental rights. Spain’s progressive stance on the status of the gender equality has led to massive changes in the abuse of women which is one of the most prevalent and hidden crimes that exists in Spain and the world.

Tackling cultural ideals of “machismo” or male dominance, Spain aggressively punishes males who abuse females. Victims are provided with resources to start new lives after abuse and the state works hard to educate its’ citizens about the dangers and penalties associated with gender based crimes. With these new laws and a general trend toward gender equality in Spain the status of women has changed a lot over the past few years.

The Reina Sofia chronicled this change very effectively demonstrating the movement from women in a subservient role to women in a more powerful position. While I was struck by the great disparity between male and female artists that were featured in the museum, perhaps this is just a reflection of the time it takes for an artist or painting to become famous. If the number of women that now work in academia and become judges in Spain today we can expect to see many more artworks of women in the future. 

SUPER GUAY, NATURALMENTE

By Nicole Tiger

Brandeis University

Hi folks! Nicky again. So basically, the weekend of the 7^th CIEE Madrid embarked on an amazing journey entitled “La Gomera”. One of the most beautiful islands I’ve seen, it is located within a Spanish archipelago off the coast of Africa. While the beach and food were amazing, I’m here to talk about the “senderismo” or hiking in the gorgeous Garajonay National Park.

            On Saturday, after a great first day at the beach, our guide Jose Maria took us to the Garajonay National Park to spice up our trip with a little nature and romance. The park gets its name from a famous local tale that follows a similar plot line to Romeo and Juliet. Gara and Jonay become lovers despite that their families are members of opposing tribes. In order to keep their affair secret, they only come together to…you know…under the cloud cover of a forest in between their two homes. Because of a strange geographical phenomenon that experts have difficulty explaining to this day, the forest is extremely damp because clouds become trapped just above the trees. It’s so moist that mushy green foliage covers every surface in the forest—it’s truly beautiful. Anywho, when the parents find out about the couple’s rendezvous’, shit hits the fan. Somehow the couple ends up surrounded by the enemy and they decide to commit suicide so that they don’t have to live apart. As was demonstrated live by Jose Maria and Erica, the two lovers placed a stick between their chests and thrust so that they were both impaled. Symbolically though, they would be connected forever.

            As I previously mentioned, the forest is completely stunning. Green shrubbery completely encases everything and is soft to the touch. The beauty that surrounded us almost entirely distracted me from the fact that we were moving at a pretty fast pace uphill. Jose Maria took a hands-on approach to the hike and told us to experience everything with our senses of touch and smell in addition to sight. We picked a few plants to smell and some people even walked part of the hike barefoot. The natural setting combined with the lovely sense of freshness made for a very wonderful hike—interrupted only by a brief dramatic encounter with some bicyclists breaking the law. The senderismo, the beach, the food, and my personal favorite, the bonding made the CIEE trip to La Gomera a complete success!!!

                                  

LA GOMERA

Por Camille Valdes

Northeastern University

“Sol, playa y arena vamo’ allá”.

Esto era lo único que podía pensar cuando me enteré que íbamos a las Islas Canarias. Cuando llegamos lo primero que hicimos fue ir a la playa, de lejos se veía el contraste de los azul con la arena blanca. La verdad que cuando la vi me trajo una serenidad y una paz el sonido de las olas y la belleza del horizonte. Jose María, nuestro guía, nos dijo que esa era única de las playas de arena blanca ya que la mayoría de las playas en las Islas Canarias son de arena negra por ser islas volcánicas. Para mí, estar en la playa era como estar en casa, en Puerto Rico. Toda esas semejanzas: el color del agua, la arena y el calor pero todo esa percepción cambio cuando toqué el agua, estaba completamente congelada. Ahí me di cuenta que a pesar de todas las semejanzas, no tan sólo de cómo se veía la isla sino la gente también, yo no estaba en casa. Sin embargo como ya dije la gente me recordaba bastante a como las personas hablan en casa. En algún momento me acuerdo haber dicho, que el acento de los canarios era como música para mis oídos. Lamentablemente no nos quedamos mucho tiempo en Tenerife porque había que ir a nuestro destino final, la Gomera.
Cuando llegamos a la isla de la Gomera específicamente, tuvimos un recorrido por la isla con un guía que nos hablaba de la historia de la isla y nos enseñó de donde supuestamente sacaron el agua con la cual se bautizó a las Américas. Durante este recorrido también vimos lo que era la expresión del arte gótico en la Gomera que en realidad no tenía mucho de gótico, solo la forma del arco en la entrada era lo que hacia que la iglesia formara parte de este tipo de arquitectura. Nos explicó que la razón por la cual no era lo que comúnmente pensábamos como gótico por lo lejos que se encuentra la isla de la península ibérica.

El siguiente día nos llevaron a comer a un restaurante para que probásemos comida tradicional de la Gomera. Yo juro que cuando vi la comida parte de mi pensó que lo único que me faltaba eran un poco de arroz con la carne de cerdo o unos tostones o amarillos (platano maduro) como acompañamiento. A mí pesar no teníamos esto pero sí habían papas arrugás. Estas papas son hervidas con mucha sal y luego mantener las papas en la cacerola con el fuego apagado pero para que se continúen cocinando. Luego de unos minutos las papas quedan secas y blancas por fuera por sal. Estas usualmente se comen con mojo picón pero también hay un mojo de cilantro, el cual yo probé. ¡Este mojo era riquísimo! La combinación de las papas con el mojo era increíble. Antes de la carne y las papas había una sopa que podías ponerle gofio que es una harina de maíz que los canarios le ponen pues a sopas, al café, entre otras. Me gustó mucho esta combinación, nunca hubiese pensado poner el gofio a la sopa ni al café. Usualmente en Puerto Rico, el gofio solo es un dulce de maíz que comemos durante las navidades. Para finalizar la comida, comimos un postre que se llamaba leche hervida, en esencia se parecía mucho al flan y era igual de rico también. Luego del restaurante fui por primera vez a una playa de arena negra. La verdad que es otra experiencia. La percepción de esa playa es totalmente diferente a la que siempre he pensado pero me encantó. Era algo nuevo e interesante que podía apreciar por lo diferente que era a una playa en Puerto Rico. No podía comparar y decir pues la playa de casa es mejor porque son totalmente diferentes. Para mí, era curioso mirar a mis pies y verlos negros por la arena. Hasta cierto punto si lo mirabas de lejos lo que aprecia era que tenías los pies llenos de fango.
En fin, esta excursión a la Gomera fue una experiencia que nunca olvidaré y que me hizo empezar a extrañar el habla de los caribeños y el paisaje de Puerto Rico. Como me dijo Paco, “la Gomera va ser como estar en casa” y la verdad lo fue. De hecho me siento también un poco vindicada con mis amistades de Latinoamérica porque ellos siempre me dicen que yo me invento palabras y que en ningún lugar se usan las palabras que yo uso. Pues allí en las Canarias palabras como guagua y parcha se utilizan de la misma manera que en Puerto Rico. No sabes todos los años que tuve que escuchar, “no es guagua, es bus” o “no es parcha, es maracuyá”. Yo ahora le digo a mis amistades, después de esta visita a la Gomera, que nosotros somos los que hablamos y decimos las cosas correctas porque los canarios fueron importantes en el descubrimiento y entonces cabe deducir que simplemente seguimos lo que nos enseñaron ellos.

THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT AT THE HAGUE

By Nicole Tiger

Brandeis University

Hi friends and family! Nicky here. So I’ve come a long long way from my last post. I’m having the time of my life here in Madrid, and now I can say I had the time of my life in the Netherlands, too! I kid you not when I say that the Hague will be my favorite trip from this entire Study Abroad experience. Not only did the trip have plenty of waffles, Paco’s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M7rPL7NW3k), and over-all awesomeness, we also visited the International Criminal Court, which brings me to the focus of this blog post.

The International Criminal Court, or the “Corte Penal Internacional”, is an independent international organization that works to assign blame to the individuals responsible for global atrocities. Essentially, leaders can no longer hide behind their positions when their crimes fundamentally violate universally recognized human rights. I personally agree with everything the court stands for and greatly admire the work they put in to get justice for victims who have suffered unspeakably horrible ordeals at the hands of government officials they ought to be able to trust.

During our visit to the ICC, the court case in session involved a chief of police from Kenya responsible for the neglect and corruption of his police force that led to several deaths and uninvestigated crimes of a sexual nature. His men repeatedly allowed the passage of enemy troops into villages and failed to provide protection during attacks. It was so fascinating to see the actual set up of the court in session, as opposed to the empty courtroom we toured while in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

While of course the entire tour was memorable, there was one moment that stood out from all the rest as the most funny, yes funny. Throughout the portion of the trial that we witnessed, the camera had remained focused on the prosecutor delivering her closing argument. However, for one brief second, the camera changed targets and displayed a man picking at his nose, then immediately switched back to the prosecutor. It was both surprising, and hilaaarious. Paco and I exchanged a brief look of confusion and chuckled to ourselves.

Overall, I learned a lot about international law from my visit to the International Criminal Court. The entire experience was very cool because I felt as if I were participating in the trial somehow by being in the audience. The whole trip was a huge success for me, and I enjoyed every minute! Thanks CIEE!