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Student Life
The University provides a wide range of student services and activities in support of the academic program. John Cabot is proud of its focus on this aspect of the students’ total learning experience, which extends beyond the classroom through a series of activities and events. This includes theater and musical productions, the student newspaper and yearbook, as well as lectures, cultural visits and guided tours.
Cultural adjustment takes a while but participation in JCU activities assists students to integrate into their surroundings. One student recently said: "I am finally getting used to all the differences this new culture has brought me. Not only the language and the currency, but also the city, lifestyle, the food, the meal times, the midday siesta and the clotheslines hanging outside windows, etc. I can deal with everything from a much better point of view after a month.”
So slip into the cultural atmosphere—go easy on yourself, and ask for help whenever you need it. That’s what we’re here for!
Student Activities
Located in one of the world’s most culturally rich cities, John Cabot hosts a variety of cultural and social events each semester. A Student Services calendar is created each semester and any member of the JCU Community (staff, faculty and students) is free to contact the Student Services Coordinator with new ideas.
As well as wine tasting with a sommelier, we have weekly cooking classes. One student said:
"… I have had a great time in the cooking classes I have attended at the roof terrace kitchen. Not only I am learning how to make great food (including fettucine alfredo, tiramisu, and veal marsala) but I am also learning about Italian culture. I now know for instance that marsala is a Sicilian wine and that Italian dishes go much lighter on ingredients than American dishes do. Also, the teacher has done a great job not only showing cooking novices like me how to make the great dishes but also in making it fun to learn…. It (is) a great way to teach students an important living skill and aspects of Italian culture that you can't learn in other classes."
- Mark Cannizzaro, Visiting Student, Spring 2007
PERFORMING ARTS
In the land of art, music and culture, JCU has a host of resources to draw on and inspire dramatic, musical and cultural interest.
DRAMA
We have our own Theatre Group here at JCU. This constantly evolving company is made up of degree seeking and visiting students, bringing with them the new enthusiasm and fresh talent of practiced performers and novices curious for the experience. There are opportunities to perform as well as make the equally vital contribution to the other aspects of production; scenery, stage management, technical assistance and make-up, to name a few. This collective effort culminates in lively and colorful productions put on for the JCU community and the public every semester. If you would like further information on this group and how to participate, please email theater@johncabot.edu
We also host performances of an Italian Theatre company, which, besides being a humorous exercise in practicing Italian, also serves as an entertaining and visual introduction to modern Italian culture. The company, ‘La Compagnia Urbana’ was created at the Arte del Teatro Studio in Roma located on via Urbana, from which it takes its name. The group stages theatrical pieces and shows in various theaters in Rome and develops film projects. The group consists of: Valerie Bonaccorsi, Martina Giorgi, Claudio Cicchinelli, Andrea Natalini, Leonardo Buttarono and Marco Grossi, Scriptwriter Claudio Cicchinelli and Director Marco Grossi.
Theatre Performances:
“Andy & Marco” held at JCU Aula Magna on October 11, 2005, a free adaptation of “Andy & Norma” by Neil Simon
“Something’s Not Right”, a comedy by Camillo Vittici directed by Marco Grossi, held in March, 2006.
“The Inheritance” held in October, readapted and written by Marco Grossi. Based on the Commedia Italiana, a film genre born in Italy in the 1950’s which lasted all through the 1960’s. It reflects a very prosperous period of Italian life and history during which films portrayed the lifestyle of the flourishing middle classes often through satire and comedy. This technique made light of and emphasized the many contradictions and flaws within society bringing them to the attention of the audience. Films also included many problematic and social issues that arose in the post-war period creating stories that were “bittersweet”.
There is also the opportunity to write and perform in Italian in the Italian Studies Theater class. The student-written monologues are based on the students’ own experiences, stories and reflections on a given subject, so that program allows the students to author their own pieces while the rest of the semester is spent coaching and transforming those initial works into a cohesive theatrical production. During Spring 2007, the students presented their original theater piece, "Visioni di Roma", written and performed by the class and directed by Professor Rosa Filardi. The full report on the production can be seen here and more information from rfilardi@johncabot.edu
Italian CineClub
As part of our multidisciplinary (Communications, Italian Studies, Humanities) programs, we show contemporary Italian films with subtitles as a way to expose our international students to Italian contemporary culture. This is a good opportunity for young Italian directors to promote themselves to a young international audience and for our students to meet Italian directors and be exposed to Italian culture in a way they would not otherwise be. JCU has already been engaged in promoting Italian cinema in the past and we have invited directors in the past with success.
MUSIC
Associated with John Cabot University is the John Cabot Chamber Orchestra, which performs both in and outside Rome. For more information please visit their website
Of course, you cannot come to Italy and miss the Opera. Every semester we organize discounted trips to the Teatro Nazionale, most recently to see ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ and ‘Il Rigoletto’.
During the summer sessions, we can take advantage of the warm weather to arrange trips to enjoy operas such as ‘Il Turco in Italia’ and ‘Aida’ at the beautiful and historic Terme di Caracella one of the oldest and best preserved ancient thermal spas in Rome.
DANCE
One of the most popular classes is Belly Dancing, held by a qualified instructor and experienced dancer for beginners and intermediates every semester. The ancient art is explored through its basic movements as well as choreography, while a historical overview is provided to gain a better insight into this traditional and beautiful dance. Oftentimes, contemporary movements and insights are also incorporated.
All levels are welcome and most have no previous experience at all, nevertheless culminating in a ‘Hafla’ (and belly dance “party”) at the end of the semester. On May 3, we hosted our very first Hafla which showcased all the talent, beauty, grace and hard work of the women enrolled in this semester’s JCU bellydance classes. Three choreographies were performed: a gypsy piece by the Beginner group, a veil piece by the Faculty/Staff dancers and a fusion piece to a Shakira song by the Intermediate group. Fun was had by all in attendance and many marveled at the unbelievable movements of the bellydancers. Few things help build community as bellydance does, and this was observed throughout the evening, as dancers and guests alike reveled in the power of dance.
For more information on how to get involved you can email our instructor Kathryne at kfedele@johncabot.edu
Trips
All roads lead to Rome and right back out again! Student Services staff provides information about tour providers that cater to JCU students and their travel needs. Recent destinations provided by local travel agencies and tour operators have included Tuscany, Siena, Perugia, Naples, Pompeii, Capri and beyond Italy! Travel representatives attend our Orientation Week to offer their services to our students. Students with a more adventurous spirit can enjoy Ski Trips and Mountain Trekking while those in search of a more relaxing activity can enjoy canoeing trips.
Click here for further information on our Outdoor Program.
Contact information
Student Services Office
Email: studentservices@johncabot.edu
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