I don’t know about you, but I’m finding it hard to get going on LinkedIn this year.

The year is not even two weeks old and already so packed with violence and death that words fail me. My feed is flooded with horrific news from all over the world, including the USA, Venezuela, Ukraine, Gaza, Iran. In between, there are updates on personal achievements and recognitions, which by comparison just feel so incredibly insignificant.

I still haven’t found my balance really, and I don’t know when I will. But what helped me today was kicking off one of our new little fun projects this year: #ArbitrattoriaAcademica.

Together with Zeineb Aoun, who started her studies in Business Education at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin last fall and continues to work with us part-time as a legal assistant, we will be testing a variety of university canteens (aka #Mensa) throughout the year to see how students are being nourished these days.

Today, Zeineb and I — joined by Katharina Meyer, our Head of Office — set out on our very first expedition to HU Mensa Süd, literally just across the street.

Having lunch at a German university mensa means being surrounded by hundreds of students: mostly young people in pursuit of life, happiness, orientation, plans, and a meal. Sitting together at long communal tables in large halls, I look around and see the future. It’s beautiful. And children eat for free.

So whenever you get gloomy with state of the world, I suggest having lunch at a local university mensa. I am happy to take you — I have a mensa card now 😉