MatthewJohn Cabot’s vessel: informing, exploring, excelling.

The

Volume V. Issue I october 4, 2010

InsI

de

Orientation Embraces New Semester

By Quincy AdAmo

Staff Writer This September, nine hundred new and former students arrived at John Cabot University to start the Fall 2010 semester. Students from around the globe come to join this American Uni-versity strategically placed in the heart of Rome. On September 1st, orientation began with a traditional breakfast that consisted of steamy, fresh pastries such as melted-chocolate croissants, and as-sorted fruit juices. The typical Italian aroma of cappuccino and espresso filled the large room. Held at the newly built cafeteria and lounge on the Tiber cam-pus, orientation is a time for the incom-ing students to become acclimated to their surroundings. For many visiting

students this may be their first time in a foreign country, orientation is an im-portant time to come together and learn what to expect from a study abroad ex-perience. What did we learn? We learned about the extensive, yet confusing, public transportation system, about our Roman neighbors, the locals, their customs and habits. One tip was that Italians need much less personal space than Ameri-cans, especially when traveling on trams, trains and street buses. We got the heads up on our ancient, yet quaint, Roman apartments, such as how to work the washing machine and dryer. Oh wait, there is no dryer. When in Rome, we should “Do as the Romans do,”and most Trastevere residents hang their drying

clothes on a line strung outside their windows or on their balconies. Orientation was also a time to sign up for the many upcoming events and tours, including the Siena day trip, the Florence trip, the excursion to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, Roman tours and hikes, wine tasting, Pilates, soccer, Italian cooking lessons, and more. It also served as a great weekend to get ac-quainted with both JCU campuses be-fore class started on September 6. Many students were filled with curiosity and wonder as they stared upon the neigh-borhood’s centuries-old buildings. Re-alizing that JCU is a part of that history, incoming visiting students enter the building with wide-eyed excitement, eager to start their semester abroad.

President Franco Pavoncello welcomes new and returning students at the Welcome barbecue. Photo courtesy of flAvio segAlA

JumP to PAge 3 to meet this semester’s student government.

fliP to PAge 5 for A Quick reciPe on home-mAde PAncAkes.

check out PAge 8 for A new discov-ery.

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the matthewcampus News

STAFF Advisor: Sari Gilbert

Editor-In-Chief:Michelle Monteclaro

Managing Editor:Christianne Alvarez

Publishing Editors:Matt Eckkes

Melissa Abate

PR Officer:Corey Rutkowski

Fact Checker:Kira Boswell

Photographers: Rehanna Minooei, Alessandro Lanuto,

Ryan Taylor, Michelle Monteclaro, Corey Rutkowski, Hannah

Wolkwitz

Copy EditorsKendra Capece, Tara Braun,

Ryan Taylor, Micayla Burrows, Kelsey Tjoelker, Alexandra Summers,

Melissa Abate

Contributing PhotographerFlavio Segala

The Matthew is the student- run -newspaper of John Cabot University.

It is published while classes are in ses-sion during the fall and spring semes-

ters. No part thereof may be repro-duced 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. Newspaper officers do not have office hours, but can be reached at any time

by writing to the address above.

Contact Information:JCU Student Newspaper Club c/o Stu-

dent ServicesJohn Cabot UniversityVia Della Lungara 223

Rome Italy 00165

Welcome Notes From The Matthew Hello everyone to the first issue of The Matthew. Thank you for your support in our smoothie fundraiser last week and your contributions will further enhance the quality of the newspaper. We hope you have a great semester! -The Matthew Editorial Board

Feeding the Lonely, the Tired, the Huddled Masses

This year John Cabot University opened a new, state-of-the-art cafeteria located in the Tiber Campus. Coffee, lunch, and dinner are served there Monday through Friday.

On Tuesday, August 31, 2010, the much anticipated new John Cabot University student housing facility opened its doors. Since students were arriving from many countries, including the United States, three consecutive entrance dates were scheduled in order to stagger arrivals. JCU housing staff and student ambassadors were on hand to meet new students, in some cases along with their parents, at Fiumicino airport. The new Gianicolo Residence building is situated in the heart of Trastevere, and is about a five minute walk from the Guarini campus. The building houses approximately 250 students and consists of apartment-style residences. Each apartment may house from two to eight students. The apartments include a kitchen, one or more bathrooms, a common area, and a desk or study space for each student. The building offers air conditioning, heat, internet, 24 hour security and a regular cleaning service.

Gianicolo Residence Opens Its Doors

The Gianicolo Residence is also home to the Housing and Residential Life Office. Resident Assistants and staff work to create a sense of community among the students and to help them adjust to their new living environment. Neighborhood tours and various cultural events are scheduled each month to encourage students to become involved and to get to know their surroundings. Other JCU housing options include independent apartments and the Residence Hotel Medaglie D’Oro. The apartments are located throughout the city in Italian residential areas and, since they will have Italian neighbors, the students may be able to experience true cultural immersion. All the independent apartments are within a 30 minute walk or bus ride to the university while the Medaglie D’Oro Residence Hotel, which by the way has a 24/7 security desk, is situated within a 45 minute walk or a bus ride to both JCU campuses.

The MaTTheW/ rehAnnA minooei

The MaTTheW/ ryAn tAylor

By dAnielle rovet

Staff Writer

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The MaTTheW/ ryAn tAylor

Below is A list of All memBers And their resPective Positions in the Jcu student government:

President: Alex Piscina Vice President: Giulio Bartolomucci Secretary: Lily Malota Treasurer: Christianne Alvarez Events Coordinator: Jenna DeMuro Acting Residence Representative until Constitution Ratification: Andrew Nelson Senate: Christian Hall, Nicole Shearer, Nikolai Berger, Jocie Solórzano, Matt Eckess, Emily Gauthier, Handel Durham, Joseph Zuccarelli, Rami Harb, Alessandro Lanuto, and Ryan Prosper. Visiting Student Representatives in the Senate: Kristie Matsuoka and Ashley Cox.

For any comments, questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us in person or at

stugov@johncabot.edu

clubs the matthew

John Cabot University’s Model United Nations Chapter is off to a great start! We held our first meeting on Tuesday, September 14th, and welcomed about 10-15 new members, including two study abroad students. This semester we are planning to attend the Stockholm Model United Nations Conference being held in November. Be sure to keep up with us this year as we plan our conferences, as well as some fundraisers, including our famous bake sales!

S.T. A

.N.d

cO

RN

ER

By: Alex PiscinA

Student Government President

This year, John Cabot University’s Student Government is composed of 20 students. We got off to a good start by filling all the board positions and the two Study Abroad Representative posts almost immediately. The Senate is composed of eleven students and is much larger than last year. Massive changes are underway this year at JCU and it is crucial to have an organization like Student Government to promote and protect the interests of JCU students. Our job is to serve as a reference point for faculty and staff so that we can help them have a better understanding of students’ goals and desires. In other words, we will act as the link between the faculty, staff and administration on the one hand, and students on the other, for the duration of the latter’s stay,

Welcome Letter From Student Governmentwhether it is four months or four years. We hope to make student’s voices heard and have the capacity to promote a positive atmosphere through the holding of events, by working in sync with all other clubs, establishing and maintaining good relations with faculty and administration. We also plan to taking advantage of the newly established Gianicolo Residence’s location just a few minutes away to advertise upcoming events in the place where the majority of JCU’s students reside. I am confident in saying that this is going to be a very successful year for Student Government, and I look forward to meeting many new students and assisting them in any way I can. On behalf of the 2010-2011 Student Government, welcome or welcome back to John Cabot! Let’s have an amazing fall 2010 semester and many more to come!

In a classroom of the Guarini Campus, you will find a small group of students from all backgrounds coming together to exchange their cultural experiences. This group is known as the Multicultural Club. MCC is a young and energetic club that began a year ago. This Fall our main focus will be Indian culture. We plan on hosting a Bollywood movie screening, an Indian dinner, henna/body painting event, a chess tournament, and an Indian talent show.Just like last year’s Brazilian lunch, the Indian dinner will allow students and faculty to learn how to cook a traditional Indian meal. After cooking the dishes, evryone can sit down and enjoy the delicate and spicy flavors of Indian cui-sine. Our chess tournament and henna/

body painting event will also aim to in-volve students and faculty in embracing Indian culture. Our end of the year event will be the Indian talent show. We will try to involve in the show as many pieces as possible as well as all oth-er JCU dance clubs (Salsa, Belly dancing, and Bubba). The MCC will perform on the sounds of Indian hip-shaking vibes. Our main objective is to showcase multiple multicultural talents. Triggering cultural experience through our events, the MCC ultimately aims at attention-grabbing, culture-sharing, and knowledge-enriching experiences.

Join Us Every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in room G.K.G.1

Multicultural Club

Envi

or

nm

Enta

l Clu

b

Join us every Thursday at1:30 in room G.K.G.3- For more information about our

club please contact enviornment @ johncabot.edu

clubs

Meetings are held every

Wednesday at

8 p.M. in rooM g.K.g.3

Interested in teaching English or taking part in this year’s The Run For

Food?

For more information contact us

Stand@johncabot.edu

Everyone is welcome to join!

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sports the matthew

Male IntraMural Soccer tournaMent

Provided by the

Athletics Department

Real Madrid vs. Manchester UnitedThursday, September 30th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

Chelsea vs. BarcelonaThursday, October 7th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

Real Madrid vs. ChelseaThursday, October 14th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

Manchester United vs. BarcelonaThursday, October 21st

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

Real Madrid vs. BarcelonaThursday, October 28th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

Chelsea vs. Manchester UnitedThursday, November 4th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

1st SemifinalThursday, November 11th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

2nd SemifinalThursday, November 18th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field9:00pm

Final 4th-3rdMonday, November 29th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

Final 1st-2ndMonday, November 29th

Via Vitellia 50, Bachelet Field10:00pm

By Rehanna FarrahStaff Writer This semester saw JCU’s Gladiators team expanding to its largest size ever.These first two weeks of practice at the field on Via Vitella have been bringing new students and old together. The boys’ team has twenty seven players all of whom participated in the first four practice sessions. On Monday, September 27th, the new coach, Riccardo announced the players who made the final cut. The few players that don’t make it onto the team can still participate in

Gladiators Make It To The Field

JCU and Lady Gladiators warm up during practice. The Matthew/ rehAnnA minooei

the practice, but as an intramural activity. The girls’ team has also welcomed new students; about half the team consists of visiting students. Both teams are still in a preparatory phase. Captain of the girl’s team, Junior Alex Fernandez, said that “Even though we won’t make cuts, we are still not sure yet who will be officially part of the team.” Games against other Roman schools don’t start until late October.

For more information on Gladiator Soccer contact athletics@johncabot.edu.

JCU ACtivitiesMondays: Belly Dancing from 5:15 p.m.till 6:15 p.m.

Tuesdays: Yoga from 1:15 p.m. till 2:15 p.m / Self Defense from 5:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays: Pilates from 1:15 p.m. till 2:15 p.m.

Thursdays: Tai Chi from 5: 15 till 6:15 p.m.

All activities are held in the Activities room in the Tiber Campus. For more information please email studentservices@johncabot.edu

Do you like to write? copy edit? photograph?

Come join The Matthew!Meetings are held every Monday at 8

p.m. in room G.K.G.1

5

ItalIaN lIfestyle the matthew

By Andrew nelson

Staff Writer

“I was in a taxi when I saw it. The Colosseum was on fire! It was crazy!” said, Alex Anderson, a junior at John Cabot University. Alex had just witnessed a contemporary video installation that took place at Colosseum.

On the nights of September 17th, 18th and 19th, the Colosseum hosted a video installation called “Coliseum on Fire” created by two foreign artists, Thyra Hilden of Denmark and Pio Diaz of Argentina. The artists projected flames onto screens between the arches of the Flavian Amphitheater, giving the impression that the Colosseum was burning. The project raised questions about Rome’s history, past and present,

and about the idea of art for posterity.

The installation provided a unique opportunity to see an ancient monument used as a venue for contemporary art. All of Rome’s layers from past to present were illuminated during the installation: Ancient Rome represented by the Colosseum itself; Christian Rome embodied in the Arch of Constantine; Renaissance Rome illustrated by Palazzo Venezia; the Risorgimento visible through the Victor Emmanuel Monument; Mussolini’s Rome symbolized by the Via Foro Imperiali; and contemporary Rome enlivened by the installation of the flames inside the Colosseum.

Yet the layers of Roman history may have been what the installation was trying to break down, by suggesting the force of destruction. According to Angels Miralda-Tena, a senior at JCU who studies art history, “Artists are always trying to burn down the Colosseum, to break with artistic tradition, to create something new. It is destruction and renewal; like a phoenix rising from the flames.”

The video installation also raises questions about the permanence of art. The Colosseum, which is made of travertine stone, is one of the most indestructible monuments in Rome, while video media, which is made of the projection of images, has no permanence or material value. The Colosseum has stood for almost two thousand years,

but the installation was designed to be temporary. It was only running for three nights.

On the other hand, even if the Colosseum were to be set on fire, it still would not be destroyed.

Fires and the Colosseum have a long history. It was the Great Fire of 64 AD that allowed the Roman Emperor Nero to build the Domus Aurea. That project included the placement of a giant statue of Colossus near the site where the Colosseum was to be built by the Flavians. In fact, it was the statue of Colossus that gave the Colosseum its name.

First prepare the wet and the dry and the butter before combining.The Wet: Mix together

-1 egg

-1 1/4 cup buttermilk (buy at Canestro

(or plain yoghurt) (250 gms)

The Dry: In a separate bowl mix together with a

whisk to remove lumps and combine well:

-1/2 teaspoon baking soda (bicarbonato

di sodio)

-1 1/4 cups flour (175 grams if you weigh

it)

-1 tsp sugar

-1 tsp baking powder (Lievito in polvere)

-1/2 tsp salt

-Melt 2 tablespoons butter

Heat a heavy griddle or frying pan. It’s ready when you drop a drop of water on it and it “dances” around (it forms a round ball that bounces around the pan and doesn’t splatter or get flat and bubbly. Test often as it heats, then when it’s ready, lower heat to medium. With a paper towel, rub a little butter over it. Add THE WET to THE DRY, then add the butter. Mix with spoon or whisk by hand with a few swift movements, scraping from the bottom over the top only until you’ve made it all wet. (Mixing too much will make them tough). A few lumps are better than over-mixing. Spoon it onto the hot pan. *As soon as you see bumps form on the top of the pancake, stick the spatula under it and peek - if the color is how you like it, flip it over. *Cook the other side until you see the color is right before you remove it. *If your pancakes are burning before the bumps form on top, lower the heat. *If they’re not coloring when the bubbles form, you’ve made it too low. Raise the heat and do the water test.

It’s a really easy recipe to folow! For more recipe ideas email

eluti@johncabot.edu

Flip-Flop For PancakesCall The Fire Department, Extinguish those Flames!

PhoTo CourTeSy oF/ cityonfire.org

CheCk out more issues that weren’t published here online at jCumatthew.Com

Cooking with Elaine Luti

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the matthewopINIoN

C h i n a C o r e y R u t k o w s k i The wheels touched down in Qingdao, Shandong Provence, Peoples Republic of China on a cool breezy evening in May. Though Chinese culture wasn’t new to me, my heart raced with the idea of being back again. This would be my second long stay in China and I was ready to make the most of it. As my friend and I went through the body tempreature checks and got our bags, I saw his family eagerly awaiting our arrival. The level of development in Qingdao was astonishing, and although it had only been one year since I had last taken this road,

IndiaHannah Wolkwitz It was mid-July in Kolkata, West

Bengal, India and I was standing, barefoot, in the Hindu Temple to the Goddess Kali in the district of Kalighat. I watched as the preparations began: orange paint, red stringed flowers, golden jewels and the slow beginnings of a drum beat. The black goat screamed in a high pitch octave as its legs were tied and its head pressed against a large stone block. As the beating of the drum got faster, I watched the sharp, quick cut of a crescent shaped blade sever the head of the decorated goat. As the blood from the sacrificed animal poured onto the slightly sloping ground and rushed towards my feet, I scrambled backwards and was (not unsurprisingly) stopped by the enormous crowd that had formed behind me. Another goat was brought into the small area, legs tied up, its head positioned on the sacred bloc. The drums and chanting began again as I pushed my way out of the crowd to pick up my flip-flops which I had left near the exit. I slipped them on and walked out of the temple. Just about a month before this moment, in Mcleod Ganj, Himachal Pradesh, India, I had been standing with my shoes off inside a very different temple, spinning red prayer wheels in the Dalai Lamas temple complex for good karma. Mcleod Ganj is the capital of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile and for a few weeks I worked briefly and informally with the Tibetan Youth Congress there, helping further the cause for Tibetan Independence. The experience was interesting, exposing me to the raw human injustices inflicted upon the Tibetan people for the last 60 years in the name of industrializing China. While helping conduct interviews with political prisoners and watching the brilliance of the Tibetan cultural show on the Dalai

Lama’s birthday, I was able to realize the beauty of a culture that has been (and is still being) systematically destroyed. Only weeks after working in the Mcleod Ganj, a 14-hour bus ride out of the Himalayas into New Delhi, followed by a 27-hour train ride through the center of India, brought me to one of Mother Theresa’s “Nirmal Hriday” homes for the dying and destitute where I decided to volunteer.

Bathing patients, cleaning and bandaging open wounds, administering medicines, washing floors and doing laundry, coupled with down time that consisted of sorting puff rice with Loki, a 75-year old tuberculosis patient, taught me more that I could have ever thought possible. Back in the present moment, I found myself walking from the Kali temple in Kolkata, feet stained with goat blood. As I looked down the street, I remembered the unforgettable rides in tuk tuks made for two, but packed with nine, through the teeming streets of cities and the quiet streets of Indian villages. I didn’t know at then, but I would later travel to Varanasi, a holy city on the Ganges river, and visit the Ghat’s by boat. I would then travel by train for three days to arrive in Mumbai where I would watch a Bollywood film at the theatre, speed in a taxi by the famous India Gate and proceed to the beaches of South Goa before returning to Rome.

everything seemed incredibly different. New factories were being built, while landmarks I once used to help me find my way were gone, somehow eaten alive by China’s new “ monster” sky scrapers. When one thinks about China, people’s minds still fill with images of Tian’anmen Square and communist leaders in grey suits. However behind this controversial façade lies a culture and a people that are overwhelmingly welcoming, and in the throes of amazing progress. Development has brought a more stable life to millions across the country, but has also widened the economic gap between people. These economic changes in the cities bring with them a high level of inequality. While not so apparent in cities such as Shanghai or Beijing, in other places such as Harbin and my home city of Qingdao, the inquality is staggering. As I left my high- rise apartment building each day, I saw farmers riding bicycles laden with fruits and vegetables alongside Mercedes Benz’. The Mercedes was probably owned by some ”high society” socialite who struck it rich when China opened its economy,while the farmer hasn’t seen the benefits of this because he lives in the villages outside the city is still using two- wheeled transport. As I gradually became aware of these sharp differences, I began to realize how this country is slowly becoming torn between two ideals: communism and the free market. Now when I think of China, I see a land of massive opportunities, but a land struggling with the unrest caused by a deep -rooted inequality. Millions have moved out of China into countries where things are economically more stable. But the billions that still live in China are watching as their country is turned into a more free market economy. For better or for worse.

Reflections from a Summer Abroad

7

DIVersIoNs the matthew

SUDOKU!

Featured Photo

Quote of the Issue

“Man cannot discover new oceans un-less he has the courage to lose sight of the

shore” -Andre Gide

Location: Facing Stazione Trastevere This is a relatively new gelateria that opened recently at the corner of Viale Trastevere and Circonvallazione Gianicolense. The flavors of the gelato at Siure are more or less the usual ones, but they do have pre-made sweets made from gelato, as well as pastries and a catalog of things that are not on display but can be ordered. A major plus is that unlike many shops in Rome (except, of course, for those in our own Trastevere neighborhood), it’s open until midnight on weekdays and to 1a.m. on weekend s. Also, it’s good to know that on Fridays it doubles as a bar with a Sushi aperitivo, thus providing you with a fantastic two-in-one culinary experience!

A short walk from the bridge behind Stazi-one Trastevere is this small gelateria. Unfor-tunately, for the afficionados of that sport, their name is misleading in that they do not have ping pong tables anywhere. They do, however, have amazing gelato! Hard-to-find, yet fun-to-try flavors include cioccoarancio, biscottino, pompelmo, and fico d’india (choc-olate-orange, cookie, grapefruit, and prickly pear). With all these great flavors, don’t miss out on their gelato cakes! Priced from 12-25 euros, you can order a mix of 3 flavors and they will not let you down!

Ping Pong Viale Marconi

Siure Facing Stazione Trastevere

If you haven’t already gone to Old Bridge to get some gelato, then you should go! This popular gelateria certainly deserves its rep-utation for being one of the best gelaterias in the Vatican area. Its gelato has an amazingly smooth, creamy texture that sets it apart. Also, unlike many other well-known gelate-rias, its prices are 1.50 Euro for a cup, and 2 Euro for a cone, a very reasonable price! Its proximity to the Vatican does make it a little touristy and long lines should be ex-pected, but it is absolutely worth the wait. The next time you go to Vatican City, re-member to stop by Old Bridge, located on Via Bastioni di Micheangelo 5.

Old Bridge Gelateria Near the Vatican

Gelato Review Provided by: elle Migurenko, rehanna Minooei and Sally Tucker

Sudoku Answers: Find the answers to the Sudoku in the next issue of The Matthew!

Photo Provided by Corey Rutkowski

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pIazza reVIew the matthew

Piazza dell’Immacolata

It might be hard to believe, but beyond the cobblestoned trendiness of Trastevere and Campo de’ Fiori there exists a whole other world of bars, restaurants, theaters, and nightlife. It’s called San Lorenzo, and as the student district of Rome it attracts many to its best-known meeting place, Piazza dell’Immacolata. While it offers its fair share of drinks and typical Roman food, what makes this piazza so entertaining is not so much what’s there, but who.

The primary feature of Piazza dell’Immacolata, the Chiesa di Santa Maria Immacolata e San Giovanni Berchmans, offers a unique insight into what the piazza once was – compared to what it has now become. Commissioned by Pope Pius X and completed in 1909 thanks to donations by Belgian Catholics (hence the dedication to Saint John Berchmans), the church is a typical example of early 20th century neo-romanesque architecture. Its most notable artistic attribute is the apse, completed in 1954, depicting the Trionfo della Vergine tra Santi e Martiri, many figures of which are inspired by photographs of those who died in the bombings of World War II.

Chiesa di Santa Maria Immacolata e San Giovanni Berchmans

While it is impossible to ignore the presence of the church, hundreds of people seem to do a pretty good job of it once the sun goes down and the nightlife picks up. If you’re looking for a place to sit and enjoy a typical evening aperitvo, you won’t be hard pressed to find one, as there are numerous bars that border the piazza, such as Arco degli Aurunci and Taverna di San Lorenzo. But for this you could have stayed in Trastevere. If, on the other hand, something is telling you to experience a different side of Rome, you have stumbled upon a gem. The main attraction is the piazza itself, which transforms into one giant open-air bar populated by a whole mix of people from their 20s to their 60s, all of whom agree that a €2 bottle of Peroni is far more appealing than an overpriced cocktail. The piazza remains flooded with nightlife enthusiasts well into the early morning, as the sea of people occupy themselves with a variety of activities, ranging from card games to boisterous, guitar-accompanied sing-alongs, to plain old chit-chat. Just be advised: disgruntled area residents have been known to throw shoes from their windows from time to time.

The Piazza

AllesAndro lAnuto

Staff Writer

PhoTo CorTeSy oF/ google©