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

THE

VOLUME IV , ISSUE II MARCH 15, 2010

Piazza Santa Maria offers students an easy destination.............................page 10

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Students fi nd ways to live on a budget in Rome.............................................page 7

Student Goverment members introduce themselves....................................page 5-6.

BY ANTHONY VANICEK

Contributing Writer

“Many people have characterized our generation as one that is passive re-garding global concerns, but events like these prove them wrong” said Joshua Cambria, a RomeMUN participant and John Cabot Univeristy freshman.

For four days in early March, John Cabot Students attended Rome Model United Nations, a student-run organi-zation to solve problems as though they were operating in a real-world context. John Cabot students and JCU MUN soci-ety board members Thomas Hormby, Ian

Foley, Kate Francis, Hannah Wolkwitz and Ariel Brodeur worked with Luiss University to organize the conference.

The issues discussed this year includ-ed: malnutrition and food scarcity, fi ght against climate change, and the role of youth in combating racism. The board of JCU led the training sessions.

Cambria explained that he found the Rome conference, “much more than sim-ply pretending to solve issues. It serves as a bridge between the classroom and the real world.” He also pointed out that the highlights of the event occur “when sci-ence and math cease to be simply num-

JCU Professor Expands Big Read to Italy BY NATE JAYNE

Editor-In-Chief

In hopes of building upon the great success of last year’s The Big Read Rome, preparations are already underway to expand the program to include the entirety of Italy. The program will be retitled Italy Reads to refl ect the core concept and geographic range of this newly announced endeavor.

Although the reach of the program is growing, it goals will remain unchanged: to encourage reading, to bring together the diverse community of English-speakers in Italy, to raise awareness of American literary culture, and to better understand the important subject matter in both the time it was written as well as in the context of our times.

The majority of the planning will take place over the summer with plans to launch the program in October 2010. Students of all ages will be invited to take part, and many opportunities for members of the JCU community to participate will become available next fall.

Professor Carlos Dews of the English Department will head up this year’s effort, which will focus on Thorton Wilder’s play Our Town, the winner of the 1938 Pulitizer Prize and one of the best loved American dramas. The three-act play is deliberately minimal, in fact deceptively simple in its use of scenery,

Over 300 Delegates from universities throught the world participated in RomeMUN.

See BIG READ on page 2 See MUN on page 2

PHOTO COURTESEY OF JOSHUA CAMBRIA

John Cabot Hosts Rome’s First Model UN Conference

2

set, and props. It is, however, sweeping in its thematic scope, which centers on companionship, love, and the finite nature of youth and life itself.

Last year’s Big Read Rome program was also organized by Dews and centered around Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The program featured workshops, discussion groups, and presentations – and there were screenings of the film adaptation starring Gregory Peck as well as the play based on the novel.

Although there were many challenges involved with bringing together such a diverse group of people. the program was widely considered a success, meeting all goals and exceeding expectations of

involvement. “The number of people who participated was much more than we initially planned for,” said Professor Dews.

Outreach efforts are already being made to potential participants. Recently, Professor Dews spent a weekend visiting representatives of schools in Vincenza, Padova and Sigonella, whose students will be joining the growing ranks of participants in Italy Reads.

One new element that Dews hopes to introduce is a drama contest in which participating students from around the country submit videos of themselves performing a scene from the play. The best of these would be invited to take part in an event where all winning groups would perform parts of the play in JCU’s Aula Magna Regina. l

THE MATTHEWCAMPUS NEWS

STAFF Advisor:

Judy Bachrach

Editor-in-Chief:Nate Jayne

Managing Editor:Mary Rideout

Publishing Editor:Michelle Monteclaro

PR Officer:Christianne Alvarez

TreasuerAndrew Nelson

WebmasterCorey Rutkowski

Copy Editors: Will Gruy, Amanda Hildebrand, Liz Horne, Elizabeth Maragioglio, Corey

Rutkowski, Valerio Taverna

Photographers: Elizabeth Maragioglio, Michelle Monteclaro, Diana C. Nearhos

Corey Rutkowski

Layout Editors:Diana C. Nearhos, Elizabeth Horne

Corey Rutkowski,

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

dent ServicesJohn Cabot UniversityVia Della Lungara 223

Rome Italy 00165newspaper@johncabot.edu

www.jcumatthew.com

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 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.

Big Read Rome Expands to ItalyBIG READ from page 1

JCU Participates in RomeMUNbers and formulas, but rather a tool to betterment of our world today. It’s when someone steps out of his or her shoes and into the shoes of another, unafraid to challenge his or her beliefs.”“It was hard work, but in the end it was worth it to see so many students and people from my generation who are passionate about con-temporary issues,” Wolkwitz observed.

Brodeur, however, refused to gloss over the obstacles involved. “The most difficult part of the Rome MUN experi-ence was getting the delegates to inter-

act and tackle the language barrier while working though the issues,” she said. However, Brodeur added, “The most ful-filling part of the Rome MUN was learn-ing different perspectives of the issues from the delegates and coming together to agree on a draft resolution. This pro-cess also provided a wonderful opportu-nity to get to know a new and interesting group of people from all over the world.” Attendees Davide Ianiello, Michela Pavoncello and Andy Tomassini won awards for their exceptional representa-tion of their nations. l

CorreCtions:In the Article “Tuition Adjustment Reflects Economic Climate” (publised in The Matthew, Vol. III, Issue 5) on page 1 and 2, the information about the elimination of the Meal Plan fee is not correct. In fact, the Housing and ResLife Office decided to eliminate, from the next academic year on, the Meal Plan Application fee of $50, but not the Meal Plan Fee, currently priced at $1,400

Note* The Editorial Board of the The Matthew formally apologizes for inadvertently stating that a male professor the article Chivalry, Chauvinism and The Feminist was speaking for anyone other than himself.

MUN from page 1

CAMPUS NEWS THE MATTHEW

3

BY VALERIO TAVERNA

Staff Writer

After the success of the Super Bowl party Student Goverment held to raise money for Haiti support, John Cabot University will host another series of fundraising events to help the displaced people of that area. Jillian Guinta, a study abroad student from the University of Rutgers, in collaboration with Student Services and several faculty members, has organized a group of JCU students to run the annual Roma Marathon and the Roma Fun 4K race. Both competitions will take place on March 21st.

Guinta says that the whole idea of this project is to have people sign up and make donations that will support the construction and reparation of schools in Haiti. Finding damaged buildings in need of restoration was made possible with the help of Francesca Gleason, a member of the Faculty Support offi ce who whole-heartedly agreed to help with the project.

The full marathon will begin at 9 o’clock on March 21st, at Fori Imperiali. The runners will follow a 42 kilometer route which passes by some of the most famous parts of Rome.

The shorter route, also known as the Fun race, includes a 4-kilometer loop around the Colosseum and the center of Rome. Everyone is invited to join the Fun Run (even though JCU students will be on Spring Break). Typically only sea-soned runners, who have trained for the extreme stress on their bodies, chose to participated in the full Marathon.

Thus far, 10 John Cabot students have

agreed to participate in the Fun Race, while one courageous individual, Jessica Young, will be running the full marathon.

Students, faculty and other support-ers do not have run to support the cause. Those wishing to donate perspiration-free can access a change bank located next to the vending machines at both the Guarini and Tiber campus lobbies.

Other choice events that are material-

izing for the great day: a concert during where wristbands and t-shirts will be sold, a carnival, which will include the JohnDancers and the Drama Club’s pre-sentation of the musical RENT. And to top things off, a 3-Euro pizza lunch.

A Facebook group, called Marathon for Haiti, has been created for those who want to be updated on the times of the race practice. l

Marathon Raises Funds for Haitian Relief

BY JILLIAN GUINTA

Staff Writer

Three of John Cabot University’s most accomplished faculty members have been awarded some of the most prestigious priz-es in the fi elds of research and education.

Mary Merva, Dean of John Cabot, wasn’t in the least sur-prised to discover that four prominent members of the JCU academic community had been honored. “JCU has a culture of academic excellence, a spirit of intellectual exploration, and a true concern for educating the next generation,” she said. “This is the type of atmosphere that true scholars appreciate and thrive in.”

The three awards went to Barbara Castaldo of JCU’s Ital-ian department, Aaron Carpene of the Music department, and Federigo Argentieri of the Political Science department. Presi-

dent Franco Pavoncello also found his work honored in recent times: he has just been elected to the Executive Board of the New Jersey-Italy Trade Council. In the fall he’ll organize the second symposium of the Council.

Professor Castaldo, who also teaches at St. John’s and Duke University, was the recipient of the esteemed Pier Paolo Pasolini Award for her doctoral thesis entitled “Defendant Pasolini: A Reading of the Trials between Law and Literature, which deals with the legal tribulations of the gay poet and playwright Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Aaron Carpene, Professor of Music, has joined the Accemdia d’Arcadia in Milan. Founded in 1960 in the memory of the artis-tic patron Queen Cristina of Sweden, the Accademia specializes in the research, publication, recording, and performance of early Italian music. His fi rst task will be to publish an edition of 17th century cantatas by Giovanni Bonocini. l

Four John Cabot Professors Honored with Awards

JCU students will participate in this years’ Roma Marathon as a fundraiser.MICHELLE MONTECLARO / THE MATTHEW

4

CLUBS THE MATTHEW

Putting Faces With the Names

stUDent GoVernMent

Clockwise from top left, Alex Piscina, Christian Hall, Bettina Mendoza, Kate Francis, Christianne Alvarez, Ariel Brodeur, Jocie Solorzano, Liridona Malota , Andrew Nelson and Robbie Moyers, members of Student Government, sit down to eat dinner.

PHOTO COURTSEY OF BETTINA MENDOZA

I am KATE FRANCIS, President. I am originally from Michigan, and this is my fourth year at JCU studying In-ternational Affairs here. I have been involved in MUN for three years, and I am very happy to have the opportu-nity to be a part of Student Govern-ment. I love tattoos and piercings and spending time with my friends.

I am ANDREW NELSON, and I transferred to John Cabot University after earning an Associates degree at Lower Colum-bia Community College in my home-town in Longview, Washington. I am an Art History Major but love to learn about everything. I decided to join Student Government because I be-lieve it is the job of everyone to make the world a better place.

I am CHRISTIAN HALL. I was born in Portland Oregon, Christmas day 1990. I am a degree-seeking freshman with a major in International Affairs. I joined student government to help improve the school.

My name is JOCIE SOLORZANO. I was born and raised in San Diego, Califor-nia and spend most of my free time at the beach or playing soccer. I’m a de-gree seeking freshman and I love dis-covering new things in life!

Hello, my name is LIRIDONA LILY MALO-TA. I am from the United States, origi-nally from Trumbull, Connecticut. I am a degree seeking freshman at John Cabot University. My major is Political Science. I am really excited to be your student government representative for student government.

I am ARIEL BRODEUR, secretary. I am a sophomore, and this is my second year at John Cabot. I was born in Boston, raised in Chicago and moved to Flori-da just fi ve years ago. I am 19 years old and am a double major in Internation-al Affairs and History. I love traveling, politics, and living in Rome is the best experience I could ever imagine.

My name is BETTINA ROTOR MENDOZA. I am a senior at John Cabot University, majoring in International Affairs. I am from the Philippines and have lived in Belgium and Italy. I love to learn new languages, read on history and politics, watch football games, scuba dive and travel. In September, I will be starting my Masters in the UK. I joined student government because I want to help identify student needs and to fi nd the best possible ways to address them. I also want to encour-age more students to be more partici-pative in student government life.

Hi, I am ROBBIE MOYERS, and I am a transfer degree seeking student from Austin, TX. I attended university in the states at Sam Houston State Uni-versity. I am pursuing a BA in History at John Cabot and look forward to the next two years at this university. I am on the JCU Soccer team, a part of MUN, and I enjoy traveling.

My name is ALEX PISCINA. I am a 20 year old Canadian, third year degree seeker at John Cabot University. I am major-ing in Political Science with a minor in History. My position in Student Gov-ernment is Senator, which entails be-ing a liaison between student admin-istration, students, and faculty. This is my fi rst semester as a member, and I hope to achieve as much as possible in making John Cabot an even better place.

My name is CHRISTIANNE ALVAREZ. I was born in Texas and this is my sec-ond year at John Cabot. My major is Business Administration with a minor in Art History. I am currently the Pub-lic Relations offi cer of The Matthew and the new Treasurer of Student Government. I hope to learn from my new position in order to better help Student Government and its relation-ship with student body.

5

More than 80,000 Somalis have been displaced in 2010, largely due to the absence of government since 1991 and growing infl uence of al Shabaab. (National Confl icts of Concern).

Despite the ceasefi re signed by JEM rebels and the Sudanese gov-ernment, there are reports of clashes between SLA rebels and the govern-ment Jabel Marra region of Darfur. Hundreds of civilians are feared dead and tens of thousands have fl ed. JEM’s negotiator in Doha reported that he didn’t believe the parties would make the March 15 dead-line for a fi nal peace deal for Darfur. (Washington Post, the Guardian).

According to a recent report by the United Nations, more than one million people were displaced by fi ghting in Eastern Congo in 2009 alone. Since 1998 over 5.4 million people have been killed, the greatest number since the Holocaust. Nicho-las Kristof will be coming out with a movie this month called “The Re-porter” in order to highlight the con-fl ict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. (New York Times).

Stay informed by requesting weekly updates on human rights abuses from S.T.A.N.D. Help by vol-unteering to help teach English to refugee men on Fridays at 9:30. Con-tact Corine at stand@johncabot.edu.

s.t.A.n.D. Co

rn

er

CLUBS THE MATTHEW

Student GovernmentMembers Not Pictured:

Hi! I’m ALEXANDRA MARTINEZ, and I am 22 years old. I was born in D.C., raised in Maryland, and have studied in New Jersey. After studying abroad for one semester in Rome, everyone knew I wasn’t going to come back, and they were right! I’ve been a student at JCU for two years now, although it is my fi fth year studying as an undergradu-ate. My major is Political Science and minor is Communications, and I hope to continue my studies in the fi eld of international law after JCU. I love to travel.... and I love Europe...but most of all I love being a student at JCU!

My name is ANTHONY VANICEK, and I am a freshman from Denver, Colorado, and I am a degree-seeking student at John Cabot University. I joined student government in hopes that I may help represent the student body through this organization.

BY BETTINA MENDOZA / BEN ROSENBERG

Contributing Writer / Staff Writer

Boa Comida, Boa Musica, Boas Companhias e Otima Atmosfera. Good Food, Good Music, Good Company and Great Atmosphere.These are just some of the verdicts handed down by students on the Brazilian Food Day event, the very fi rst Food Day activity organized by the Multicultural Club.

The traditional sounds and fl avors of the South American country were on dis-play February 26th at the Secchia Terrace of the Guarini Campus, where members of the Multicultural Club prepared delicious examples of Brazilian cuisine for about twenty students and staff members. The main dish served, Feijoada, is a stew of

rice, beans, beef, and a special ingredient called farofa, which is a kind of Brazilian couscous. Another Brazilian specialty: a dessert of baked bananas and sweet coco-nut water.

As students ate their lunch on a par-ticularly warm and sunny February day, traditional Brazilian samba played on the stereo. After the “scrumptious” lunch, as one student described it, some of the club members put on a small impromptu dance performance.

“It was fun to experience a little taste of brazilian culture, in a beautiful part of the campus. the day was clear, and perfect for some samba dancing. I hope there are more events like this soon,” said Joshua Bergeron, a study abroad student at JCU. l

Brazilian Food Day Shares Culture

Multicultural Club gets together for Brazilian Food Day on February 26.ELIZABETH MARAGIOGLIO / THE MATTHEW

Food Inc. Packs Aula MagnaBY ANDREW NELSON

Treasurer

On March 10, the Environmental Club hosted a screening of Food Inc. in the Aula Magna, which was was packed with John Cabot University students, profes-sors, and other guests. Among the latter: Tess Kenner, one of the fi lm’s production assistants and the daughter of Robert Kenner the producer of Food Inc.

The fi lm is a graphic documentary about the sudden changes in the way food is produced and consumed over the last 50 years – and the growth of the fast food industry. It examines issues related to the production of meat, corn, seeds, genetically modifi ed food – and it focuses particularly on the cost of food, the treat-ment of employees, and the consolidation of power within the food industry.

Scenes of cows ankle-high in their own manure; the sickening environment

inside chicken coups (including shots of birds so obese that they can’t stand), the kill fl oor of slaughterhouses make for un-forgettable viewing.

Following the documentary there was a panel discussion moderated by Judith Crews, a professor of public speaking at JCU professor and consultant at the Food and Agriculture Organization. The panel included Shukri Ahmed, a Senior Economist for the Economic and Social Department of FAO, Daneila Battaglia, a Livestock and Development offi cer for FAO, Renata Clarke, a Food Safety Of-fi cer for FAO, Alvero Toledo an Offi cer of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and Lillian de Valcourt-Ayala, from the Foreign Service.

After the panel discussion, the Envi-ronmental Club served refreshments, in-cluding 80 samples of all natural gelato from Fior di Luna, which was donated to the club for this event. l

6

THE MATTHEWARTS

“Why Be Afraid...” Opens at Local GalleryBy Poppy CotterellStaff Writer

The fashionable commercial art gallery Lorcan O’Neill is close by John Cabot University on Via Orti D’Alibert. Run by the British-born Lorcan O’Neill, former deaeler of the Antony D’Offay gallery in London, it is considered to be at the peak the young Roman art scene.

Its two spaces are both unusual and yet completely different from each other. The Street View Project is a small and in-timate. It faces out on the busy Via Della Lungara, giving it a static and frenetic quality as there are always new responses and viewers participating in the works from both within the space and from the busy road. The Street View project evokes a television set, in which the front door actually resembles the TV screen: to passersby it seems to emit a spooky “Big Brother” feeling.

The larger space is sheltered from pub-lic view by its door. It’s shaped asymmet-rically with a large pillar in the middle of the room and a corridor leading off from the far right corner. The spatial irregular-

ity creates obvious challenges that are consistently and impressively overcome by the young and energetic team.

Inaugurations at Lorcan O’Neill are fa-mously eclectic, hosting a mixture of art-ists, curators and the Roman glitterati. Feb-ruary 19th 2010 saw the opening of English artist, Tracy Emin’s solo show “Why be Afraid…” (on display until April 4th).

Like all of Emin’s work, the pieces are confessional and autobiographical; they explore Emin’s loneliness, her quest for religious solace and her feelings of aban-donment. The central works consist of large pieces of cloth embroidered with childish images and impassioned phrases

that connect them. One image shows a female figure curled up on the ground; beside her is an amorphous shape that resembles a dead baby. The caption is “It wasn’t that you left me, it’s that you keep leaving me.” Emin, who had two abor-tions in her youth, is clearly expressing her memories of loss and pain.

The “Street View Project” exhibits Emin’s sketches. These are executed in a spidery and juvenile manner – and yet they are so confrontational and highly sexual that even at the opening, when most guests were animated and lively, only a ghostly silence greeted these works.l

Blues Style Finds a Roman Home at Big MamaBy Danielle Rovet Staff Writer

On Tuesday, March 30th, the time-honored blues joint ‘Big Mama’ Celebrates its 26th birthday. Located in Trastevere on Vicolo San Franceso a Ripa, ‘Big Mama’ has served since 1984 as a “musical laboratory” where many young artists have grown and matured. The club has always been distinguished for the variety of its artistic programming. Artists are scheduled for a maximum of two nights, thus lending to a wide assortment of styles. While the club provides abundant opportunities for performers of jazz music, rock and ethno, it earned its title as ‘Home of the Blues in Rome’ for its regularly scheduled blues performances.

On Tueday, March 16th the club will house Bob Stroger and the International Blues Band. Other upcoming performances include Awa Ly Quintet on Wednesday, March 17th as well as a performance the following night by the male quartet Savile Row. Quintet is a young, Senegalese singer who was born and raised in Paris. She sings primarily in English, with a mixture of folk, jazz and blues. Savile Row largely performs new arrange-ments of Beatles songs as well as covers of other rock’n’roll music from the 1960’s.

The club requires the seasonal purchase of a 14 euro mem-bership card, valid for admission for three months. Reserving a table is also recommended and is free of charge. The Club’s opening hours are from 9 pm to 1:30 am and concerts begin at 10:30. The club has listed an complete program of artists who will be performing in its website. l

POPPY COTTERELL / THE MATTHEWTracy Emin’s “Why be Afraid...” displays her emotional, confessional work.

Big Mama brings diverse music styles to Roman audience.MICHELLE MONTECLARO / THE MATTHEW

7

ITALIAN LIFESTYLE THE MATTHEW

Cook Yourself Something NewChocolate Balls-Chokladbollar

Chockladbollar, or Chocolate Balls is a traditional Sweedish pastry often eaten with coffee during fi ka though the translation is rough, it can be almost seen as a coffee break. They are quick and easy to prepare, since they require no baking! Most ingredients are easy to be found! I fi rst encountered this food while visiting my girlfriend’s family in Sweden, as we had coffee; we ate these little delicious treats called chocolate balls, that warm even the oldest of people!

Ingredients-4 cups regular rolled oats-1 1/4 cups white sugar-1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder-1 cup butter or margarine, softened-2 tablespoons strong coffee-1 teaspoon vanilla extract-2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate,

melted-1/3 cup coconut fl akes

Directions1)Mix the oats, sugar, and cocoa together in a bowl. Add the butter, and use your hands to mix the ingredients together to make a thick dough. Mix in the coffee, vanilla, and chocolate until thoroughly blended. 2)Place the coconut fl akes in a small bowl. Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll between your hands to make small balls, about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Roll the balls in the coconut fl akes. Balls are ready to eat, or may be refriger-ated 2 hours to become fi rmer.

Recipe from Corey Rutkowski

Students Find Deals to Live on a BudgetBY AMANDA HILDEBRAND

Staff Writer

For college students, managing money well is rarely a simple task. For American students struggling under the steep ex-change rate, effective money management can feel like an impossibility. Currently, the exchange rate is such that an Ameri-can student exchanging 50 USD can ex-pect to get about 36 euros. To deal with this, students need to fi gure out how to live abroad on a tight budget.

Several students at John Cabot have taken advantage of the Porta Portese fl ea market that takes place every Sunday in Trastevere. There, a decent pair of boots can be found for ten euro and handbags can be found for as little as eight euro. Clothing, books, supplies and other items are also sold at discounted prices.

“I’ve been to the market a few times and always seem to fi nd something,” says Jillian Emmerson, a study abroad student from Michigan State University. “Why spend 30 euro on a pair of boots when I can get it for so much cheaper at the mar-ket or at a Chinese store? The only catch

is that it’s hard to wake up early enough to get there before it closes,” she added.

Although the fl ea market doesn’t of-fi cially shut down until 2pm, many of the best bargains are gone by 10am. For stu-dents who stay up late on Saturday or have church Sunday morning, making it to the fl ea market can be somewhat diffi cult.

In addition to fun buys, a signifi cant amount of a student’s budget is spent on necessities like food. Students need to eat but would like to spend as little money as possible in the process. “First of all, I always buy what’s on sale. I usually buy store brands, I don’t get Barilla pasta, for example, because it can be twice as much,” says Helena Salvo, a degree-seek-

ing freshman at the school. For students living on a tight bud-

get, pasta dishes are a good way to fi ll up cheap. However, because of the lack of nutritional benefi ts, students need to fi nd ways of buying low-cost fruits and veg-etables. Local markets often offer cheaper produce than grocery stores or or organic shops. Campo Dei Fiori offers apples, man-gos, peppers, and other produce foods, of-ten at bargain prices. “My parents give me a monthly budget, so I only buy as much food as needed and I always try to fi nd good deals on what I do buy,” said Salvo.

Smart buying choices, prudently pur-chased at the right markets, can stretch a student’s budget – even in Rome. l

PHOTO COURTESY OF ALESSIO DAMATO The Porta Portese market Sunday mornings offers students many cheaper options.

8

SPORTS THE MATTHEW

Women Bond Despite Intrinsic DifficultiesBY DIANA C. NEARHOS

Layout Editor

Any athlete will tell you, a key element of winning is team chemistry. If a group clicks well off the fi eld, its members will likely perform well on the fi eld. When a team goes through drastic personnel changes every few months, it becomes very diffi cult to cultivate that dynamic.

This is the issue facing John Cabot University’s women’s soccer team. Each semester, a new batch of visiting students enters the school and joins the team. With the season spanning over the course of both semesters, this means an almost entirely new team halfway through the year.

“For the people that stay on the team, it’s diffi cult because we have to adapt to the way that different people play every semester. You fi nally get used to playing with one person by your side and then in a few months that person changes,” says Jocie Solorzano, who is now in her second semester with the team.

This year, the Lady Gladiators have made it work and have gone farther than in previous years. They did not let the challenges intrinsic in their system trip them up and instead played for third place in regular season play. JCU improved on its previous season including sweeping its rival, American University of Rome, with two shutouts.

Part of that success may have been derived from the luck of which students chose to attend JCU this year. In soccer, where communication is crucial, the constant changing could potentially disrupt a season completely. Players must know where their teammates are on the fi eld at all times in order to analyze where the ball is and what play is called. If they do not know each other or are unaccustomed to playing together, they will not be able to play well.

Adjusting to the different playing style serves as an additional challenge for girls coming from the United States as freshman or study abroad students. Women in Italy play calcetto, a style in which only fi ve players on the fi eld at once and a fi eld roughly the size of tennis court.

Once players get used to the physically smaller play and meet their new teammates, this becomes the same as any other team. “Girls that play sports normally have an easy time adjusting to new teams,” said JCU sophomore and team captain Alex Fernandez. “You’re used to the team dynamic so going to a new team is still playing the same game.” l

PHOTO COURTESY OF JILLIAN SINE JCU womens soccer fi nished the regular season in third place.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JILLIAN SINE The Lady Gladiators’ strong team chemistry began off the fi eld.

Write for The MatthewCopy and Layout Editors, Writers, and Photographers wanted

No experience necessary

Mondays 8:00pm in G.1.1

9

OPINIONS THE MATTHEW

American Students Adjust to the Language

There’s nothing quite like going to a class for the fi rst time, stepping into a new school for the fi rst time or fl ying into a new country for the fi rst time. New experiences are enjoyable and ex-citing, but they are also anxiety invoking and uncomfortable.

This semester, I have been able to gather up and savor all these experiences as I began studying Italian (new class) at a study abroad program (new school) in Rome (new city in a new country). When I fi rst signed up for classes here, I signed up for an introductory Italian course because it seemed rude not to. I mean, going to another county and de-manding they speak my language is such an American thing to do; I was above that. I planned to be a polite traveler. Yet, I wasn’t respectful enough to sign up for Italian because I was interested in the culture.

When I arrived in Rome, I realized everything was beautiful. Sure, Rome is big and dirty and confusing. But the ar-chitecture is astonishing, the history fas-

cinating and the the profound religious infl uence striking. All of it was wonder-ful – except learning another language.

I have four years of Spanish to work with, so I can read and understand Ital-ian fairly well; responding is a whole other cup of tea. I began to realize that speaking Italian wasn’t just polite, but would allow me to look ever so slightly less idiotic when ordering gelato or buy-ing a bus ticket. Still, that attitude was totally ignorant.

Orientation passed, and I became more familiar with my neighborhood, the bus system and this Roman world I entered. Classes began. When I went to Italian the fi rst week, I wasn’t expect-ing much. I fi gured it would be like any language class I’ve taken in the past. But, learning the language of the country you are visiting currently is entirely different. My professor, Valentina Dorato, is both adorably Italian and deeply challenging. She told us, “if I go to America, I do not expect you to speak Italian for me.” And, it should be the same for me in Rome.

Valentina warned my class not make Italy a new America or our experience in

Rome just an Italian version of America. “I know Italy is a magical land of alcohol, and you cannot drink in the States,” she said. But, she explained that it was so much more than that. She encouraged us to drink and enjoy ourselves, but to “open our eyes” to what the city had to offer. If we didn’t, she warned, “you are wasting four months of your life… and a lot of money.”

Not that English isn’t a great lan-guage, spreading across the globe more rapidly than ever—knowing English is defi nitely a powerful academic tool. But, while I am here I need to study Italian, and not because it is more convenient or less embarrassing, but because it is a gor-geous language.

After a brief conversation in St. Peter’s square, an Italian man told me, “you’re studying in the best city in the world!” I laughed at the time, but he’s right. That’s just what it is: a city as beautiful as its language.

Ciao. A presto.

LIZ HORNE

Have an opinion about something?

Win 500 euro for your op-ed piece!The Albert Walker Fuller Prize will

be awarded to a faculty or staff member or student for outstand-

ing writi ng in an opinion piece

Submissions should be 500 words and sent to Professor

Judy Bachrach at jbachrach@johncabot.edu

“How to write an Op-Ed”

Journalism professor and Vanity Fair editor Judy

Bachrach will speak about writing opinion pieces.

Wednesday, 17 March1:30pm

Aula Magna

Liz Horne is a study abroad student at JCU. She welcomes comments at newspaper@johncabot.edu.

10

PIAZZA THE MATTHEW

Explore Rome: Piazza Santa Maria Diana C. NearhosLayout Editor

Just around the corner from John Cabot Univeristy sits the quaint little piazza of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Though smaller than some of the better-known piazzas, Santa Maria in Trastevere offers a nice place to relax between classes, especially as the weather grows warm and sunny. The fountain in the center of the square provides a pleasant place to sit with friends, take in the scenery, or even catch up on reading.

Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere

The most obvi-ous attraction in the Piazza is the beauti-ful Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. This church held the fi rst openly cel-ebrated mass after Christianity was legalized in Rome. Additionally, an inscription on the Episcopal chair claims that this was the fi rst church dedicated to Mary.

The apse, decorated in brilliant mosaics and murals from a variety of periods, provides viewers with an ex-traordinary opportunity to study the evolution of Ro-man art. As the eye travels down from the upper-most mosaic, it traces the move from Byzantine art towards the Renaissance. The upper-most mosaic, from the twelfth century, is fl at and one-dimensional. The shad-ing and colors of those below it, completed by Pietro Cavallini one hundred years later, have more depth and resonance.

Blue IceAlmost always, any place with an English name is

a bad bet in a non-English speaking country. The Blue Ice Gelato, however, is a great exception to the rule. There may be more “Italian” gelaterias in Rome, but this nearby fi nd might be worth it as Blue Ice offers many tantalizing fl avors

Blue Ice has the answer for those missing mint chocolate chip, for example. The menta gelato offers a strong mint taste with little chunks of chocolate, without losing the unforgettable depth of fl avor that clings to the typical Ital-ian gelato. You may fi nd such fl avors at some more touristy spots but there you will shell out a few more euro. Blue Ice also offers the more classic Italian fl avors – traditionalists will enjoy nutella, amaretto, and zabaione.

Ristorante la CanonicaJust around the corner, on the other side of the basilica, is the Ristorante la Ca-nonica. This res-taurant, essen-tially bathed in orange (orange tablecloths, or-

ange print on the menus) offers a tasty meal for lunch or dinner. There are a few outdoor tables as well as two fl oors of indoor dining. The menu features both typical Roman and Italian fare. In addition to the many pasta and meat dishes intended to go together, the restaurant offers a few larger options to stand alone. Though, as with most places in Rome, the bill adds up with the water and bread, the prices at Ristorante la Canonica start rea-sonably with a fi lling plate of risotto only nine euro. Hits the spot after a day of sightseeing or class.

Bar S. CalistoPiazza Santa Maria may not be the place to fi nd the hottest clubs and raging bars, but it does offer few more relaxed options for nightlife. To the right of the square is Piazza San Calisto, home to Bar S. Calisto. This bar may not be the right place to show off a new, sexy dress, but it’s a perfect site for a drink after a long day of class.Bar S. Calisto offers a more laid-back scene than you might fi nd in places like Campo dei Fiori. Instead of fi nding yourself crammed inside, surrounded by wall-to-wall Americans, the you can can revel in a more Italian scene. The bar features ta-bles inside and out where people sit with a Peroni or wine, and there’s even enough space to turn around and maybe even lift an arm.