The Matthew

VOLUME VIII, ISSUE II

To our Readers

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff, We apologize for the publishing delay, but we are committed to providing the JCU community with a quality studentrun newspaper. Each day represents new challenges and tasks and we are willing to work hard and gather local news for you.

We hope you enjoy this issue, and we look forward to your feedback and comments.

Grazie mille!

-The Matthew Staff

MARCH 2012

Kony 2012

By Michelle Monteclaro Editor­in­Chief It’s gone viral and struck a cord with viewers. With over 65 million views, the Kony 2012 video has turned the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) story into an international issue. The 30-minute video created by activist organization Invisible Children, has rallied viewers to take action against guerilla leader Joseph Kony, the head of the LRA, for committing unlawful crimes including torture and rape against the local Ugandans.

The power of this video and social media in general is driving much discussion and debate among the John Cabot University

community. JCU students have created a Kony 2012 group on Facebook, the place where students can post comments defending and trashing the Kony movement.

“When I first saw the video I was shocked about what was happening in Uganda. I was surprised that no one did anything about it,” said Dareen Al-Rashid, a junior at JCU. “The first thing came to my mind is that we really live in a cruel world. I am happy that such a video spread all over social networks to open our eyes on what is happening in other countries.”

But no movement is without its criticisms. Filmmaker Jason Russell, co-founder of the Invisible Children organization in San Diego, was accused Continued on Page 5

Study Abroad Students Adjusting to “Technology Void” in the Classroom

By Liza Hyman Contributing Wrtier Moodle is a Course Management System (CMS), also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). In simple terms it’s an online portal that many university professors in the United States use to create online course environments where students can participate in discussion boards, submit assignments, access course material and much more.

But at John Cabot University only eight of the 200 courses offered this semester use

Index..........

Page 2.........S.T.A.N.D. Page Page 3.........Campus News Page 4.........Student Government Page 5.........Opinion pieces Page 6.........Photography Page 7.........Campus News Page 8.........Fashion / Traveling

JCU’s Moodle page and many of the study abroad students who are accustomed to technology-centered classroom environments are struggling to adjust to the “technology void” in the classroom.

“All of my classes use PowerPoint, clickers, audio lectures, collaborative chat rooms, or technology in some form,” said Dana Newman, a 20-year-old student about her home school, Indiana University.

Newman, who is from New Jersey, has found it difficult to adjust to the lack of technology and feels she is at a disadvantage. “JCU does not really utilize technology.

One of my professors uses an Apple TV for presentations, but the rest - straight lectures. There is no benefit to this kind of teaching style. I think teachers think we will zone out if they use PowerPoint slides, but it makes it worse without them,” Dana said.

“It is hard to sit in class when you are not visually stimulated. In this day and age, students need visual stimulation to be able to remember something and to trigger memory,” said Jenna Rebhun, a 20-yearold student from California, studying Communications at the University of Illinois.

Professor Aaron Carpene, a member of JCU’s music department, is one of the few professors who incorporated Moodle into his curriculum and who sees it as a great asset. “Moodle is a main resource for Continued on Page 3

STAND PAGE

THE MATTHEW

S.T.A.N.D. UPDATE Meetings Every Tuesday, 20:30 G.K.G.3

CONFLICT IN SUDAN There is ongoing violence in the South Kordofan region of Sudan. The government is attacking civilians directly through airstrikes. South Sudan has just separated from the North and it faces many challenges as a new country.

These challenges are more than building new roads, schools, hospitals, and houses, but also creating unity among the tribes. Tribalism is a plague that has haunted the Southern Sudanese for decades and it is one of the biggest challenges that the new government faces. Recently, two tribes in the Jonglei area fought over land and cattle, and 57 people were killed, the majority being women and children. In addition 60,000 people were displaced. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-15529551 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/13/us­southsudan­tribal­killings­ idUSTRE80C0S620120113

The world promised never again...so what about right now?

S.T.A.N.D. STORY

After asking me what I was doing in Rome, I revealed to him that I was a student. He told me that as a young boy he always struggled with school – he joked about how he was lazy.

He told me that this infuriated his parents because he was privileged to be going to such a nice school. As a result his parents kicked him out, sending him to go live and work with his uncle who owned a Coca-Cola distributing plant in Kabul.

Abid strived to gain back his families respect and trust. As such, he was successful while working with his uncle. While he did not specify what his position was exactly, it became clear that he was either in charge of delivery or some sort of salesman. He explained to me that he drove a late 1990s VW Golf, he made sure I understood that it was a German car. This car was either used for deliveries or some kind of promotion.

He described to me how he ended up having to leave his country. On a particularly trafficked road in Kabul on a very hot day, Abid was working as usual. He told me that traffic was at a standstill and there appeared to be some kind of commotion up ahead. Two men approached his car and casually struck up conversation with him. At first they discussed the heat and speculated on what could have been holding up the traffic. They asked him what he did (it was implied that Abids car was marked by his uncles business in some way). He explained to them that he worked for his uncle also revealing the name of the company. The two men were increasingly curious of Abid ,asking what part of the city he lived in, where he was from originally, etc...

As the traffic began to clear they told him that they were interested in attacking a section of the city that had a number of Americans and Italians. They wanted to use his car to transport an explosive of sorts. He refused. They forced themselves into his car, one of them hitting him in the head with a hard object, again forcing him to drive. He did as they told. They told him to drive to his house. He stopped the car after some time and got on his bicycle, which I presume was in his car. The pair of extremists (Taliban) drove off.

Not knowing where to go first, he biked to his parent’s house. He told his father the entire story, his father kicked him out, once again. Abid says he forgives and understands his father to a certain extent. His father didn’t want the family to be targeted by the Taliban, unfortunately it was too late for that. Next he went to his uncle, who then also told him to leave. Eventually the police caught up with him, and after numerous, “interrogations” they accused him of collaborating with terrorists. Not having a family to go to, and actually being unable to go to the police he felt abandoned and saw his only viable option was to flee his country.

LOOK OUT FOR TRAVELING FEET: STANDS’ NEW PUBLICATION WITH A COLLECTION OF STORIES LIKE THIS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS!!!

BOARD Baylen Campbell

Vanessa Landetta

Caroline Furuvald

Micayla Burrows

Email Stand@johncabot.edu Special Thanks to STAND members Niveen Laa, Matt Carlebach, and past president Hannah Wolkowitz for their contributions in this update.

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COUNTRIES ON GENOCIDE WATCH 2012: Sudan, Burma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Columbia, China, Iraq, Iran, Zimbabwe, Uzebekistan, Egypt, Cote d’Iviore, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Algeria, Philippines, Lebanon, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Russia, Israel/ Palestine

THE MATTHEW

CAMPUS NEWS

“Technology Void” in the Classroom continued from Page 1

my students as I can post lessons, extra texts, and assignment work. It also allows me to give my students immediate feedback and grades, which is a great resource,” he said.

With all that Moodle offers, it is curious as to why more professors do not utilize similar

Too hot, too cold

By Gaia Tonucci Contributing Writer

Kathleen Preissing, a 21-year-old student at John Cabot University (JCU), is dressed for a trip to the Swiss Alps - wool hat, chunky scarf, thick cotton jumper and a long, down coat - but instead she’s inside a classroom at the Tiber campus.

Preissing is one of the many students who have adopted the “layer dressing” technique because of the “extreme hot and cold temperatures” inside the university. “I end up choosing what to wear depending on the room and the campus I am,” said Preissing who has been at JCU for three years.

“It’s either too hot or too cold and it’s distracting,” said Maxime Di Giacinto, a 21-year-old student at JCU. “If I don’t feel comfortable with the temperature in the classroom I tend to concentrate more on the fact that I don’t feel well than to the lecture being given.”

Then there are those students such as Ettore Tomaselli, an Italian business major, who said the fluctuating thermostat caused him to get sick and miss a week of class. “I had a hard time catching up, in general, I am terrified of getting ill,” he said.

But Mimma Marafioti, one of the receptionists who works at the front desk at the Guarini Campus, explained the temperature at JCU is regulated.

In the winter, the thermostat is set to around 26 C, or about 79 F, and in the summer the thermostat is set to around 20 C, or 68 F, said Marafioti.

“Professors and students ask us to raise or lower the temperature at least five times a day,” Marafioti said.

She explained that based on the requests received, she or the other staff members increase or decrease the thermostat to help students and faculty feel comfortable. The Tiber Campus has thermostats inside the classrooms.

Luca Papasizza, who is from Sicily, urged the administration to adopt reasonable and homogeneous temperatures between all the rooms and campuses. “This way, by adopting pre-established reasonable temperatures, no conflicts will arise between students in getting the whole classroom to agree on the perfect temperature,” he said.

technology in their classrooms, Carpene said. “Perhaps it is because the Italian education system is very traditional and professors are not familiar with the technology. But, technology is a great resource for professors and they should have access to training so they can adequately utilize it,” he added.

Livia Piotto, a reference librarian at JCU, who helps runs the university’s Moodle site, is developing workshops and programming to encourage the use of Moodle in more classrooms. “The professors that work with Moodle, like it, and continue to use it each semester. We want to use these professors to promote the use of the service and show how easy it is to incorporate into the classroom,” Piotto said.

But there are also those students who appreciate the small class-sizes and the ability to receive personal, one-on-one attention.

Jamie Solomon, a psychology major from California finds the small class sizes a welcomed break from her massive lectures at the University of Michigan.

Lectures at the University of Michigan can have over 500 students. JCU has an average of 15 students per class, according to the university’s web site.

“While technology is an advantage and is helpful in contacting advisers,

professors, and making the classroom more interactive, this technology is not necessary with smaller class sizes.

In a small classroom, extra technology is not necessary to engage students or make the material more interesting” Solomon said.

Brad Doner, a 20-year-old student from Ohio, agreed that technology is not a necessity in his courses at JCU, even with a technology-focused background as a computer science major. “At home, everything is technology based and everyone uses a personal computer, iPad, or device to take notes. For the classes I am taking at JCU, minimal technology is not a disadvantage,” he said.

Some students even see a “technology-void” classroom as a more productive learning environment. “It’s better when a professor doesn’t use technology, especially because it can be misused a lot. If a professor posts PowerPoint presentations online, most students will not pay attention in class and study things later. If there isn’t online material, you have to write things down, as fast as you can, and by doing so, you learn more,” said Roxanne Mollica, a 20-year-old student at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

Television helps to ease homesickness

By Rachel Levy Contributing Writer Most study abroad students were warned about the culture shock that they might experience when first arriving in Europe, but many are still having a hard time adjusting and are turning to American television to ease their homesickness.

“Some afternoons when I am feeling a little homesick or overwhelmed I turn on my computer and watch an episode of Gossip Girl,” says Nicole Karol, 20, a Manhattan native. She explained that while she is trying to soak in as much culture and history as she can during her stay in Rome, sometimes she feels overwhelmed and watching a show about her city helps ease that feeling. “I know it seems silly but it really does help me when I have these inevitable moments of feeling far away from home,”said Karol.

Max Ellman, 20, who has an obsession for Boston sports was disappointed to not to be in the U.S. for this year’s Super Bowl.

“If I were in America I would absolutely been in Boston or at the game in Indianapolis,” he said. “There is nothing like the atmosphere in Boston when any team, regardless of what sport, is in a championship game. Ellman went to a local bar to watch the game, which helped connect him back home.

Allison Schaecter, 21, a political junkie, loves to keep up to date with current events. “I usually wake up every morning and turn on the news and I watch the news before I go to bed, so the adjustment has certainly been hard while in Rome,” she said.

Her limited Italian skills have only made things harder - she can’t even follow the local news. Instead Schaecter has turned to reading online news articles and blogs, along with watching clips of her favorite shows such as the Meet the Press and The Daily Show.

Students suggested the university host screenings of some of their favorite shows to keep them connected to home.

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STUDENT GOVERNMENT PAGE

Referendum Results

Student Government presents the results of the Referendum held from February 21 - 22. The numbers are the result of the 784 ballots cast by the student population.

There are 1,152 students at JCU, which means about 68 percent participated in the referendum.

The results were determined by dividing the responses cast per answer, per question by the total number of eligible voters.

Eligible voters were all visiting and degreeseeking students.

Students were asked the following three questions: 1) Should the Tiber Cafeteria be designated as a group study area?

2) Should the Tiber Cafeteria be open for midterms and finals during the same hours as the library?

3) Should removable tables be placed on the 2nd Floor of the Tiber Campus to create a healthy and inviting quiet study area at the Tiber Campus? The results have been broken down according to question in the following manner: Question 1, 49.6% voted yes, as opposed to 17.9% who voted no.

Question 2, 63.2% voted yes, as opposed to 3% who voted no.

Question 3, 58.2% voted yes, as opposed to 8.3% who voted no.

Student Government would like to thank all students for their participation, as well as the faculty and the administration for their patience throughout this process. Student Government takes its responsibility of representing the will of the students seriously. We look forward to meeting with anyone who may have any questions, comments or suggestions. A university is only as strong as its student body.  This referendum has opened a productive dialogue to begin to resolve the issues that will help make our university a premier institution of American Higher Education abroad, a common commitment around which all members of the JCU community can rally.

This, however, is simply a first step among many. We ready to move forward in the exploration and realization of excellence.

Student Government is confident that this will lead to substantive improvements in our university, and enthusiastically welcomes working alongside our peers, faculty, and staff to bring about progress.

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THE MATTHEW

OPINION PIECES

Ladies Choice

By Victoria Hardina Staff Wrtier Birth control is for women, taken by women, and meant to help women. So women should have a say when it comes to birth control issues, right? Apparently, wrong.

The new Obama administration mandate is requiring insurance companies to provide free birth control for women, including religious workplaces. Religious employers are not happy with this mandate.

To appease them, Obama offered a compromise. Employers who thought that the original mandate was violating their beliefs do not have to offer contraceptive services. Instead, the insurance companies will be responsible to pay the cost and take responsibility.

Since many Catholic churches and institutions are self-insured, they are still not content with Obama’s alternative choice because they still are required to offer birth control, which violates their

THE MATTHEW religious stance against contraceptives.

Bishop William E. Lori, leader of the Bridgeport Roman Catholic Diocese, along with many other religious leaders, agree that the Obama administration is violating the basic rights of religious freedom.

There are two battles being fought here, women’s voices and opinions are not being heard, and religious freedom is being violated according to some. Either way you look at it, it all comes down to the women’s choice to use or not use contraceptive services.

Recently at a Democratic sponsored hearing, Sandra Fluke, law student from Georgetown University, had a chance to speak. Fluke was previously denied a chance to talk to congress.

She used this opportunity to talk about how contraceptives are not included in her student health plan, discussed how expensive birth control can be and reminded everyone of the repercussions of not using the right birth control.

Women aren’t being heard enough with this issue, and when they do get a chance to voice their opinion, naïve men (AKA

The Death of American Politics

By Jonathan Boyer Staff Writer

The current state of America politics is absolutely deplorable. It is well known that politicians have always been of questionable nature, but what happened to the days of couth, humility and decency in the political spotlight? I have seen classier acts on reruns of Jerry Springer.

Politicians are echoing radicals, whose only interest is shock value. Politicians mimic commentary by people like Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh whose goals are higher ratings not democracy. Politicians have tailoring their values to obtain votes and get elected. They have appeased the “Happy Idiot.”

When 2011 presidential hopefuls include Donald Trump and Sarah Palin, comedian Natasha Leggero joked that the presidency would become a reality television show. Unfortunately this is the state of American politics; the only difference is text voting.

Why cannot there be intellectual debates between politicians were antithesis is the weapon of choice instead of resorting to calling your opponent a “poopie-head.” President Barrack Obama has campaigned to make high education more tangible. Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum twists this as belittlement of

the blue collar Americans and a desire to push a liberal agenda. How can we allow someone to run for president who displays such inability to comprehend the English language? The stage of political debate is nothing more than swine throwing mud at swine. Any middle school student is likely to give more stimulating debates, educated arguments and diplomatic behavior. American is a one legged duck; we are getting nowhere.

Politicians are utilizing twitter as a political tool. This is a great way to reach out to today’s youth. However politicians also partake in “Twitter Wars.” John Boehner, House Speaker uses twitter to criticize and point the finger of blame. On this digital battlefield shots are recklessly fired but no one is interested in peace.

Manipulating every thought into a radical tweet, in a desperate attempt to keep some relevancy or another fifteen minutes on Fox news; pathetic.

There are serious issues that need to be address such as economic recovery, equality, and foreign policy. Why are these issues being argued in such an immature manner? These people are supposed to be running the United States; instead they have become contests of a game show.

Politicians are not reality celebrities, and thus need to stop acting like the cast of the Jersey Shore.

Rush Limbaugh) who don’t even know how birth control is used, accuse women of being ‘sluts and prostitutes’.

We need to remember that we are living in the 21st century. 99 percent of all sexually experienced women and 98 percent of sexually experienced Catholic women will have used birth control at some point in their lives according to the Guttmacher Institute.

Results from a survey of 1,519 Americans, conducted from Feb. 13 to Feb. 19 for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, showed that 63 percent of Americans support health insurance companies covering the cost of birth control.

Women clearly want free birth control.

Insurance companies should provide it, and women should have the option to choose whether or not they want to use it.

Birth control reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancies, decreases the abortion rate and over all will save money for insurance companies when it becomes free.

Regardless of your faith or personal beliefs, it’s your choice ladies. No religion or person should decide for you.

Kony 2012

continued from Page 1 of perpetuating the white-man savior complex, of not being transparent with his organization’s finances and over simplifying a complex issue.

“One of the things that makes Invisible Children somewhat problematic is that the majority of their budget seems to go to marketing and publicity. Apparently something like only 35 percent of their funds actually goes to programs in Uganda,” said Professor Antonio Lopez, a communications professor at JCU. “I’m a little suspicious of an aid organization that needs marketing to raise funds for more marketing--a general problem with a lot of these NGOs whose overhead far exceeds the work of boots on the ground projects.”

The English newspaper, The Guardian featured an article on the Kony movement. J. Peter Pham, an Africa expert at the Atlantic Council, said in the story that the film sends the message that Kony “ is the sole source of evil in this part of the world and simply sending $30 for an action kit you’ve solved the problem.”

Although, the video has brought an immediate awareness that can not be silenced.

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Photos by Michelle Monteclaro

Photos by Victoria Hardina

Spotlight on Soomin Kim

Soomin Kim is a sophomore at John Cabot University. Originally from South Korea, Kim is the creator of our new masthead. Last semester, she took Sabrina Schmidt’s, graphic design class, “I thought the class was very useful. Especially, since I learned how to use Illustrator. Prior to taking class, I know nothing about web design. I’m glad that I could contribute to John Cabot’s newspaper,” said Kim. Kim is studying Business Administration and plans on studying at the University of South Korea for a semester through JCU’s study abroad program. “It’s great, I can go home for a semester and spend time with my family and finish my degree in Rome!”

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THE MATTHEW

CAMPUS NEWS

THE MATTHEW

Hi, my name is _____ and I’m addicted to Facebook and other social networks

By Victoria Hardina Staff Wrtier Wake up. Tweet, so the world knows you are awake. Check your three email accounts. Religiously stalk your friends on Facebook to see what they were up to since you fell asleep seven hours ago.

Hop out of bed. Make a cup of coffee.

Pin a photo on Pinterest. Browse through Stumbleupon. Update your LinkedIn profile. Send another tweet saying you burnt your coffee.

Walk to class. Check in on Foursquare so everyone knows you made it campus.

Make sure to tweet that you’re professor is running late #again.

We live in a social media world. Today’s technology makes it easier than ever for us to stay connected, no matter where we are, but when does it become too much?

Do you spend more time talking to your friends on Facebook than you do in person? Do you get excited when you hear a line in a song and instantly post it as your status? Does the thought of the Internet going out terrify you? Are you

Drink Like a Scholar

By Miki Onwudinjo Contributing Writer

Looking for a quintessential Irish pub in Rome? Then buy yourself a cheap ticket and fly 1,600 miles to Ireland. But if that is not within your study abroad budget, then Scholars Lounge is the closest you are going to get.

Located just across Tiber River between Piazza Venezia and Largo di Torre Argentina, Scholars offers 120 cocktails, 100 types of vodka, 11 draft beers and the largest Whiskey collection in Italy.

This bar would not stand out in Ireland or the United States, but it’s a one of a kind establishment here in Rome. Scholars is a great place to mingle with study abroad students, backpackers, foreign tourists, older men and young local Italians.

The pub is split into two large rooms.

Editorial Board Advisor Rosamaria Mancini Editor-In-Chief Michelle Monteclaro Managing Editor Christianne Alvarez

Head Copy Editor Matthew Carlebach Layout Editor Anna Prosvetova

constantly compared to a “Cullen” vampire because your skin has not seen sun due to the fact that you’re glued to your laptop?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then congratulations.

You have FAD [Facebook Addiction Disorder].

FAD is a new diagnosis popping up everywhere.

Though it has not been defined in a textbook or a confirmed obsession, studies by the International Journal of Psychological Studies show that Facebook is just as addicting as tobacco and cigarettes.

“I would agree that Facebook is addicting, I go on at least three times a day. If I don’t, I feel like I’m missing out on something,” said Nicole Reyes, study abroad student from Northeastern University. “I can go without it, but I don’t want to. I would feel out of touch with people back home and I have to update Both have bars and flat screens featuring current news and sports, but the second room has a small stage for performances.

Both rooms also have limited seating at high tables, booths and along the bar.

Forest green walls glow with an essence of cheesy opulence. Aged wood crown molding that stretches from wall to wall allows its guests to feel rich and important.

The English-speaking bartenders are super friendly and provide swift service.

They even help out guests if there is any trouble or unruliness.

The costs are somewhat typical for Rome: bottled Peroni and Nastro Azzuro beer that are very popular cost 4 Euro for students. A tall glass of Guinness runs 6 Euro. Mixed drinks will set you back 7 to 10 Euro.

Hot food is served all day including American classics such as nachos, wings, burgers and fries, but they come with

people on what I’m doing here. Facebook is the easiest way to do that.”

Not to worry, Facebook has over 500 groups that addicts can join.

Humans are social creatures. We just want connections in life. Experts say Facebook becomes unhealthy if we spend more time communicating online than we do in the real world. No need to quit cold turkey - just keep in mind Facebook and the other social networks can’t replace real human relations. foreign prices. Eat elsewhere before venturing here for a late night drink and dancing.

Scholars gets extremely packed with a variety of people on Tuesdays and from Thursday to Saturday night. Get there early and mark your territory. Shoving, falling, rapid hand jabs and sudden outbursts are inevitable.

Live cover bands from all over Europe play on Thursday nights. Karaoke Sundays and Tuesdays are a must for the horrible drunken renditions of the Beatles, the Backstreet Boys and Taylor Swift. Every Wednesday is student night from 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. with discounted drinks and valid identification.

Every day has something to offer and new people to meet, but don’t make this your weekly spot. Come here every so often but definitely try to explore all of Rome’s nightlife.

About Us The Matthew is the student-written and student-managed, nonprofit newspaper of John Cabot University.

The Matthew is published while classes are in session during fall and spring semesters.

No part thereof may be reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the consent of the managing editor.

Op-eds and Letters to the Editor may be submitted for publication by e-mail to newspaper@johncabot.edu.

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THE MATTHEW

TRAVELING / SHOPPING

FULLER PRIZE 500 Euro

FOR A 500-WORD OPINION PIECE ON ANY SUBJECT! DEADLINE IS MARCH 29, 2012 SEND YOUR PIECES TO PROFESSOR JUDY BACHRACH AT JBACHRACH@JOHNCABOT.EDU

Extreme Traveling in Rome

By Pilar Smyth (text and photos) Staff Wrtier

Day 37: Started off the morning, bright and early, and all set to bask in the glory of an exhibit containing the work of Michelangelo and Da Vinci (which is a once in a life time experience to have both the masters work in one exhibit, perhaps out of respect for the fact that they both hated each other, or more Michelangelo hated Da Vinci, whereas Da Vinci was probably too old and wise to really hate anybody by that time in his life). However, after a wild goose chase (and a very long bus ride) of trying to find where the bloody exhibit was we were told that it was no longer. It seemed apparent to me in this case that the stereotype of the lazy Roman was true, somebody obviously ‘forgot’ to update the website that the exhibit closed. On a plus side, I was finally able to get the Internet to work at the most opportune moment of my need to quickly research that the Via Sacra and the Roman Triumph did follow very similar paths.

Day 39: Took off from Piazza Trilussa at 10.30 and headed to Lake Bolsena for a “light” lunch at Montefiascone, which was overlooking the beautiful lake. With a view of the lake and all the snow around in the hills one could have easily guessed they were in Alaska or Calgary, instead of Tuscany.

After our “light” lunch we departed for Civita di Bagnoregio. It was wicked! I was expecting Dracula to pop around a corner and say ‘BOO!’ at any second. Did I mention that there were about fifty cats surrounding me too. Poor things were starving and I have decided to go back there with my parents and very large quantities of cat food to feed the masses. We arrived in the city of Sorano at about 17.00 and headed to Terme di Sorano, which was to be our home for the next few days. We then had a huge dinner with multiple courses at La Pieve di Santa Maria dell’Aquila, which is a 13th Century Church no longer used for religious purposes.

SHOPPING

By Liridona Malota Staff Writer

LILY

Hey there JCU Fashionistas, I know it has been some time since I updated, but it’s been a busy semester here at JCU. I have included some photos of JCU students and their looks. We have Anyla Dautaj bundled in fur, while Emily Gauthier and her 1960s/1970s inspired looks, welcome you to the Tiber Campus Front Office each day. Today we will be conquering the online market. Many of you are aware of sites, such as ASOS or TopShop, but I have included some new ones to add to your bookmarks bar: Romwe: for the latest trends! (www.romwe.com) NastyGal: yes I know how awkward this sounds (www.nastygal.com) Need Supply Co.: for upscale fashion items from newcomers to the industry (http://needsupply.com) Fashion Pash: for cheap & trendy looks, Swedish Site (http://www.fashionpash.com) Storets: for what the Style Bloggers where! (http://www.storets.com)

JCU FASHION TREND SPOTTER

Girl in the Green patterned dress (Emily Gauthier)

Girl with white sweater and fur vest (Anyla Dautaj)

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WITH