From Alençon to Ithaca: Romane Martin’s Unique Take on the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
By: A Curiously Witty Commentator
Meet Romane: A Law Student Living the American Dream
Ever wondered what it’s like to study law in a foreign land while being knee-deep in an electoral circus? Meet Romane Martin, a 23-year-old law student from Alençon, currently navigating the muddy waters of the 2024 American presidential election at Cornell University. You know, just as you would in a classic sitcom, only this time the stakes are slightly higher than a bad hair day!
A Politically Charged Campus
Romane describes her campus as “hyperpoliticized.” Well, that sounds far more energizing than your average French café debate! There are active folks ensuring students register to vote, while residents seem to have turned local gardens into political billboards. It’s as though the lawns have become the 2024 version of ‘America’s Next Top Model’, but instead of contestants, we have lawn signs. Which one will get voted off the property?!
The Transparency of American Voting
In the U.S., transparency takes on a whole new meaning. Romane points out that unlike in France, where the secrecy of the ballot is paraded around like a French punk band, here, voters wear their support on their lawns, and apparently, garden gnomes aren’t shy either. Imagine the surprise when you stroll past a cozy garden in New York and find it sprouting a glorious sea of political propaganda!
The Blue Wave vs. Red Tide
Interestingly, Romane notes that while New York State leans heavily Democratic—thanks to the ever-reliable, densely populated NYC—outside the urban bubble, things get a bit more… conservative. It’s a tale of two states! You could practically hear the theme from The Twilight Zone playing as she describes how one street features Biden-Harris signs while another banner proudly displays “Make America Great Again.” Talk about political Spaghetti Junction!
International Students and Their Fascination
Despite the chaos, Romane and her international peers remain gracefully impartial, like truly sophisticated entertainers at a chaotic wedding. They even humorously reveal that American students want to know whom they would vote for. “You mean Emmanuel Macron isn’t on your ballot?” Oh, to be a fly on the wall during those conversations! It’s akin to bringing a baguette to an American barbecue, isn’t it? Awkward but marvelous!
Gender and Voting: Breaking Myths
Romane also weighs in on the topic of gender in elections. Contrary to popular belief, she states that there seems to be a refreshing lack of sexism among her peers. “Gender is not something that blocks voters around me.” Well, hallelujah! This is like a breath of fresh air. Maybe it’s time to sprinkle a bit of that positivity on global politics!
A Calm Before the Storm
Romane is taken aback by the calmness surrounding the campaign. Imagine being in a room full of loudmouths and realizing that everyone is just chilling, casually registering votes without any passionate rants. “I expected it to be more tense,” she jokes. If only she had a time machine to see the frenzy surrounding past elections! It’s a political paradox that could make for a great comedy skit.
Generational Party Loyalty
According to Romane, American students seem to be deeply entrenched in their Republican or Democratic identities—a little like fans at a football match, or as she puts it, “Republicans or Democrats for many generations.” Talk about commitment! She suggests the roots run deeper than we might think. It’s practically a family heirloom at this point. “Here, darling, take this ‘Democrat’ badge. It’s been in the family since Great Uncle Bob!”
The Road Ahead
For Romane, this year in the U.S. isn’t just about the election; she’s also preparing for the notorious New York bar exam. That’s right, folks! She’s got her eyes on the prize, weaving her career path like a true international legal eagle. “This experience could open up opportunities for me all over the globe,” she muses. Who knew political campaigns could be the backdrop for personal growth? Next stop: international business law!
Reality Check: The Swing States
As we count down to November 5, relaxation is not an option! Attention is focused on the swing states that could flip the election outcome, painting it red or blue. Ah, the excitement! It’s like watching a game where we all know the ending is uncertain, and the climax will surely fuel another round of intense Facebook arguments, no doubt.
The Verdict on November 5
The tension might be low on campus, but voting day may bring fireworks. Will it be the dawn of a new era or the continuation of the current chaos? With Romane and her classmates poised for action, it’s sure to be an interesting scene. As we all hold our breath and refresh our feeds on November 5, here’s hoping for a result that keeps our brave ‘political garden gnomes’ smiling!
So stay tuned, folks! Because whether you’re in a garden, a campus, or just scrolling through your phone, the American election is a show you won’t want to miss.
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Romane Martin, a 23-year-old law student at Cornell University located in New York State, is actively engaging in the vibrant electoral atmosphere that accompanies the 2024 American presidential election, emerging as a unique cross-cultural observer from her hometown of Alençon in Orne.
No secrecy of the ballot boxes
“The subject is at the heart of the news and all the conversations, especially on my campus which is hyperpoliticized,” she emphasizes, pinpointing the rampant political engagement shaping discussions among her peers.
This engagement is bolstered by “the presence of active people on campus to ensure that American students are registered to vote,” illustrating a robust grassroots movement aimed at stimulating voter participation.
In stark contrast to the low-profile political expression often seen in France, the community atmosphere in Ithaca is palpable, with “all the gardens of the city’s houses have the candidate sign that they support.”
Unlike France “where the secrecy of the ballot box is mandatory,” the United States “is very open on the subject and people are not afraid to say and show who they support and who they will vote for, demonstrating the local culture’s emphasis on political activism.
New York State Blue Thanks to NYC
Within her university, which she defines as “pro-democratic,” Romane perceives an overwhelming sentiment among students who are “against Trump and rather in favor of Harris,” highlighting a significant liberal tilt in her academic bubble contrasted against the broader state dynamics. Just like the city of Ithaca, “which is full of students!”
New York State largely swings to the Democratic camp “because New York City is and there are so many voters in NYC.” Yet, she notes that “when you walk outside, and especially on the path that leads to Canada, you see a lot of Trump signs in the gardens,” underscoring the fact that outside of NYC, people are more conservative. The differing Republican values in rural areas reveal a complex political landscape.
“They want to know who we would vote for”
Romane and her non-American classmates express a keen interest in the elections, yet prefer to maintain a nonpartisan stance. “
We do not choose sides but we are fully aware of experiencing a historical fact.
Romane Martin, student in the United States.
To the point of planning a visit to Washington on November 5, 2024 for the count at the Capitol, illustrating their engagement with the political process.
The interest of international students at Cornell in the American election does not go unnoticed by their American counterparts. “They would like to know who we would vote for,” Romane chuckles, while her friendships with American classmates lead to amusing misconceptions about international politics. “We tell them that it’s very different here,” she notes as discussions around electoral identity unfold.
They ask us if Emmanuel Macron is a Democrat or Republican.
Roman Martin.
Here again, Romane finds herself clarifying. “We tell them that things are less clear-cut here!”
“Gender will not influence the vote”
Romane reflects on the societal implications of a woman holding the presidency, stating, “In my student microcosm, and from what I have heard, there is no sexism. Whether the candidate is a man or a woman will not influence the vote.” This observation suggests a progressive mindset within her immediate academic circle.
I expected it to be more tense. But it’s not like that at all. There is no barrier for example in front of the university, just people who are there to register the students.
Romane Martin, student in New York State.
According to the young Frenchwoman, “the tension is more in the media because where I live, people don’t talk about the election that much.” She provides insight into the local atmosphere, sharing that she has “not seen any distribution of badges or flyers in favor of this or that candidate, nor were there any conferences organized by one camp or the other.”
“They identify with their party”
One thing is certain according to Romane: “American students are less agitated on the subject than French students!” she notes with a light-hearted laugh.
At the Sorbonne, during the early legislative elections, there was tension and a blockade. Here at Cornell, there is none of that.
Roman Martin.
At Columbia, where political discussions are even more rampant than at Cornell, students “debate among themselves but they don’t try to convince each other,” reflecting a nuanced engagement with divergent viewpoints. Romane comments on the entrenched political identity of her peers, stating, “the split between the two camps, Republicans and Democrats, is as it seems impossible to make an activist change. Often, they are Republicans or Democrats for many generations, identifying deeply with their party’s legacy, which stands in contrast to the political fluidity observed in France.
She takes the New York bar exam
Romane Martin is originally from Alençon. She completed her schooling at the Masson school then at the Racine college and the Alain high school before heading to Angers for a law degree that included a pivotal year in Brussels to specialize in European law. She subsequently joined the prestigious University of Paris-1-Panthéon-Sorbonne for a master’s degree in “Arbitration and International Trade Law.”
This new academic year unfolds across the Atlantic at Cornell University located in the vibrant city of Ithaca, New York, where she is enrolled in an LL.M (master) in American Law. Like many of her classmates in the LL.M program, Romane is preparing to sit for the New York bar exam at the end of the year. “This may allow me to find a job in the USA, but I am not closing any doors and I will see depending on the opportunities that present themselves to me after this year of studies,” she confides, highlighting her adaptability in an evolving career landscape.
The one who “loves to travel” had already set foot on American soil “for a month-long vacation when I was 10,” but she now perceives this year as her genuine immersion into the American legal system as a student. Her LL.M program is “specially designed for foreigners,” with her class primarily composed of students hailing from China, while European representation comes mostly from Germany, followed by French and South American participants, particularly Colombians. Yet, these foreign students comprise a very small proportion of the law student body, which is predominantly American.
Sept swing states
This is why attention is sharply focused on the seven “swing states” in this 2024 election, namely Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These pivotal states remain uncertain battlegrounds, capable of swinging the election in favor of either the Democratic or Republican candidates amidst an increasingly polarized political landscape.
Verdict Tuesday, November 5 (Wednesday, November 6, 2024, upon awakening in France).
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