The Matthew Online

Buon Natale

From everybody here at The Matthew Online and John Cabot University, we'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for a peaceful and productive 2008.

The Fall 2007 semester is winding down. We will return in 2008 with a new line-up of stories. Please come back to see us.

JCU student art exhibit packs them in

By Christina Tscherteu

ROME Dec. 10 - On Thursday night, a packed Via Mattonato Photo Studio was the scene for  an exhibit of paintings, drawing, and photography produced by John Cabot University students during the semester.

The drawing classes had all their sketch books on display for all to see. For the painting class, there were numerous still life renditions of wine bottles, food, and portraits to look at. As for the photography class, each student had a collection of their favorite photos hanging on the wall.

Some of the onlookers were the artists’ roommates coming to look at what they had been working on all semester. Maureen LaNoce, a JCU student and roommate of Christina Captein, who is in the painting class, came to support her friend. “Christina had been working so hard all semester and we would see her painting in the living room and now we actually get to see her hard work displayed,” said LaNoce.

The professors who teach the art classes were there to support and talk to the students. William Pettit, who teaches painting and photography classes at JCU, said “the art exhibit is a great opportunity for students to share their experiences in Rome through art.”

All of the artists were there as well to answer any questions about their artwork and also to look at what their other peers had been working on all semester.

For Romanians in Rome, la bella vita is far from reality

By Megan Barnes

ROME, Dec. 10 -  Following the murder of a 47-year-old Italian woman in late October, allegedly by a Romanian immigrant, relations between the two EU countries have been tense.

Last month, in an effort to crack down on a perceived increased crime rates involving Romanians, the Italian government began deporting immigrants  who pose a threat to public order. In the first month, 283 Romanian immigrants, primarily Romanian gypsies were deported, The Financial Times reported. 

Sinking dollar has students rethinking travel plans

 

By Courtney Smith

ROME, Dec. 7 — With the continuous fall of the dollar and subsequent rise of the euro, American John Cabot University students may want to think twice about ignoring that familiar clink of a coin hitting the ground.

A two-euro coin converts to roughly $3, enough to buy a Big Mac.

The dollar's decline in the past five years is a major issue for economists and consumers alike. The fear -- both in Europe and for many Americans -- is that the dollar will continue to fall.

Dante, Botticelli and Ptolomy converge on Via Veneto

By Coralie Mevs

ROME, Dec. 6 - This month, the Marriott Grand Hotel Flora on Via Veneto hosts an exhibition that offers the possibility to glance at some of the most significant pieces -- or at least, close approximations -- of the Vatican's rich literary collection.

On Wednesday afternoon, an elegant waiter welcomed groups of art lovers into the hotel’s luxurious hall where the exhibition ‘Secrets of the Vatican’ celebrates the anniversary of the five-star hotel. The display provides eight duplications of the most outstanding pieces from the world renowned Vatican Library.

JCU Lady Gladiators shut out rival AUR 5-0; men tie 2-2

By Chiara Travia

ROME, Dec. 6 - On Wednesday night, John Cabot University's Lady Gladiators soccer team shut out rivals The American University of Rome (AUR), 5-0.

 

Within the first 20 minutes of the game, Ariel Goetz scored for JCU. Three other goals followed in the first half, one from Margo Messina, and two from Jessa Hybrechts, the team's interim captain. The second half finished strong as well. The last goal was made by degree-seeking student, Sarah Gabai, with ten minutes left in the game.

Goetz’s roommate, Emilia Aguinaga, later said, “I am happy she scored within the first twenty minutes, especially against AUR.”

 

Within the last five minutes of the game, Jocelyn Fredrick, who has been out all season with an injury, decided to play. Her teammates cheered her on as she hit a header and made some good plays. “We had a really good season, we all came together and I am so proud of the girls,” she said.

It is unclear if Fredrick will be fit enough to play in the Spring.

The victory was all the sweeter after the JCU men's soccer squad was forced to forfeit its match against AUR last month. The men's team was also in action on Wednesday. They drew to a 2-2 tie against Campus Bio Medico.

Pasta and sweets, the downfall of students everywhere

By A. May

ROME, Dec 6 – The semester is coming to a close, papers and exams are piling up, and students will soon be returning home with more than just an experience. They'll be packing a few more (or fewer) pounds.

The well-known “Freshman 15” hits most first-time college students , who put on weight during an adjustment period of newfound freedom and anxiety.  For students studying abroad, similar reactions occur.  The lure of carbohydrates and enticing Italian sweets leave students regretting or embracing meal decisions. 

Half a world away, students learn to Skype home

By Takara Onowo

ROME, Dec. 5 - Maintaining cross-continental relationships with family and friends has become a snap for the computer savvy student.

For the majority of students studying at John Cabot University, Rome is a home away from home.  So how is it that students today are staying in touch with loved ones back home?

For starters, blogging. Instead of writing one lengthy e-mail to a friend back home, JCU students have found a quick and easy short cut.  A growing number of JCU students are opening up their own blog spot to keep friends and family updated with day-to-day adventures.

 

It's that time of year: vino novello season

By Alexis Blaha

ROME, Dec. 5 — It's December, vino novello season. 

Vino novello is Italian for “New Wine.”  Novello is bright red or violet in color and boasts a fruity taste.  Elements of fresh cherry, banana, strawberry, raspberry, and naturally grape are savored on the palate in one sip of this seasonal wine.

The average price of a bottle of vino novello from Lazio is €4-6, with the most expensive bottle priced at €10. 

The novello is best known for its luminous fruity consistency, low alcohol content -- about 11 percent -- and its low price

 

Roman graffiti: urban blight or political statement?

By Casey Calvert

ROME, Dec. 3 – People come to Rome to see the Sistine Chapel. They want Michelangelo and Raphael. They want to see the ingenious architecture of the Colosseum. As soon as they step off the train or out of the cab, they usually get graffiti instead.

Not exactly the picture they had in mind.

For those travelers to Italy, graffiti is often an inconvenient backdrop to la dolce vita. But spend long enough in Rome, and it blends into the background; the fading spray paint and vulgar phrases on ancient walls and historic facades become an everyday annoyance.

But for the graffiti artists, hidden under the obnoxious color and in unidentifiable words, are personal causes, important messages, political statements.