The Matthew Online

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.

 

Recruitment begins for JCU student ambassadors

 

By Maria D’Alessandro

ROME, Nov. 7 – At back-to-back sessions this week, John Cabot University student ambassadors were trained in the basics of customer care skills in preparation for the next student orientation period.

More than 15 students and Student Services staff members attended a Tuesday afternoon   meeting in JCU's Maximus room where they heard what it takes to be a student ambassador.

    

Karate chops, sushi and a packed house mark JCU's successful Asian Night

By Takara Onowo

Rome, Nov. 7 - Asian International Food Night was a huge success for the John Cabot Student Council Tuesday night as over 140 students crammed into the Aula Magna auditorium to taste cuisine from Japan, China, and Thailand as well as witness the famous Japanese martial arts: karate.   

The food ranged from classic Asian dishes such as fried rice, sweet-and-sour chicken, spring rolls, and sushi, to more uniquely flavored meats, peanut sauces and cabbages. 

 

JCU Halloween costume attracts fairies, rain and a vanishing ghost

By Christina Tscherteu

ROME, Oct. 31- As the rain poured down on the Lemon Tree Courtyard on Wednesday afternoon, John Cabot University students dashed to the Aula Magna auditorium for the judging of the Halloween costume contest, an event organized by JCU student government.

 

The poor weather appeared to rain out some of the festivities; just seven students dressed up for the contest.

“I didn’t dress up because it was raining and I wanted my costume to be a surprise,” JCU stuent Kelly Olsen explained.

Still, there were plenty of costumed students to hold a proper contest. Each contestant strutted their stuff down the aisle and later explained why they chose their costume.

Meet the RA, JCU's expert mediator on Roman affairs

By Takara Onowo

ROME, Oct 2 - Not a native Roman? Living in a new and strange environment? Is your neighbor always waving their hands and yelling to you in Italian? 

Students living in John Cabot University-assigned housing will still have to deal with these dilemmas, but help is on the way. A new addition has been made to the JCU housing department this semester: resident assistants, or RAs, have been assigned to every JCU apartment. 

Mark your calendars for May 11: party!

On May 11, 45 Giri will be hosting JCU graduation after-party, writes Astrid Allard. The party will be a celebration for the class of 2007 graduates, plus a send-off for visiting students who soon will leave Rome.

 

Psst... some CV and interview tips for your next job

By Jamie Schwam

ROME, April 24 – Between ten and 60 seconds, that’s all.

That is the amount of time you have to impress a prospective employer with your resume, (or, curriculum vitae).

Dr. Gabriele Ghini of the international head hunting firm, Heidrick & Struggles, came to JCU to discuss what major businesses look for when searching for their prospective candidates.

Heidrick & Struggles has been around for more than 50 years specializing in senior-level positions for major corporations.  Although Ghini focuses more on top level management placement, he discussed with JCU students recently the parts of a resume you should avoid, plus the sections you should highlight to land your first big job. Then, he discussed the dreaded job interview.

JCU wonders: could it happen here?

By Shira Nanus   

ROME, April 24 - A week ago, a lone armed student rocked the academic world, killing 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech University in the largest school shooting in United States history. Half way across the globe in Rome, John Cabot University students, upon hearing of the tragedy, found themselves in utter disbelief.

As JCU students comforted one another and prayed for the Virginia Tech community, it was hard not to ask the disturbing question: could what happened at Virginia Tech ever happen here?

JCU students stop everything to remember Virginia Tech victims

By Ottavia Criss

ROME, April 20 - A moment of silence was held in John Cabot University’s Lemon Tree Courtyard on Thursday at noon to remember the 32 victims of the Virginia Tech tragedy.

A message to Virginia Tech: we're with you

By Janae Wright

Rome, April 17 - Even though it occurred half a world away, Monday's deadly rampage on the campus of Virginia Tech University was on the minds of many John Cabot University students today. On Tuesday around campus it was evident JCU students were hit hard by the news. At one point, a crowd gathered as one student held up the front-page coverage in USA Today.