At John Cabot University, students have the opportunity to experience Italy through cultural programs, outdoor adventures, athletics, and hands-on trips and activities designed to help them explore beyond the classroom.
From hiking along the coast of Cinque Terre and kayaking on Italian waterways to visiting historic cities, tasting local cuisine, and exploring archaeological and cultural sites, JCU students can discover different parts of Italy while building friendships and creating memories along the way.
These experiences are an important part of student life at JCU. Through the Student Engagement Office’s Cultural Programs and Athletics initiatives, students can explore Italy in ways that complement their academic experience and help them feel more connected while they study in Rome.
Explore Italy Through JCU Cultural Programs
JCU's Cultural Programs offer a variety of opportunities each semester for students to experience Italy’s history, culture, food, and traditions firsthand. Rather than simply checking destinations off a list, these activities are designed to encourage curiosity, cultural appreciation, and a deeper understanding of the places students visit.
Students can participate in day and weekend trips to destinations throughout Italy, attend concerts, performances, and exhibitions in Rome, and take part in cooking classes that introduce them to Italian culinary traditions.
Recent and upcoming destinations and experiences have included places such as Sperlonga, Tuscany, Matera, Naples, Civita di Bagnoregio, and the Terme dei Papi, as well as experiences closer to home in Rome.
Whether exploring a new region for the weekend or discovering a part of Rome they have never visited before, students have opportunities to experience Italy beyond the university campus.
One student reflected on this perfectly after participating in the Cinque Terre weekend trip:
"I went on the Cinque Terre and and it was unlike any other traveling I have done before. As an international assembly of students, this trip meant getting to know some of the coolest people from around the world while exploring some of the most beautiful parts of Italy. I highly recommend experiences off campus with JCU because they became the highlight of my travels as a young student abroad."
Discover Italy Through Athletics and Outdoor Adventures
For students who want to combine travel with an active lifestyle, JCU Athletics and recreational activities provide another way to experience Italy.
What began with events such as Gladiators Days has developed into a broader range of retreats and outdoor adventures that allow students to explore Italy while trying something new. Students have hiked through Cinque Terre, kayaked along the Italian coast, sailed on Lake Bracciano, explored the Cilento coast, tried stand-up paddleboarding, and even traveled to the Italian Alps for skiing.
These experiences give students a chance to see different landscapes and regions of Italy while participating in activities that encourage teamwork, exploration, and a healthy lifestyle.
For many students, the experience is just as much about the people they meet along the way as the destination itself.
"I studied abroad at JCU in the Fall of 2024. I can confidently say it was one of the best times of my life! I went on a couple of school trips including one with the athletics department. The Sapri trip was a highlight of my study abroad. I made lifelong friends and will always hold those experiences close to my heart."
Thomas L. Study Abroad Student
Experiences Designed for More Than Sightseeing
Traveling as a student can be about much more than seeing a new place. JCU's Cultural Programs are designed to encourage students to engage with the history, traditions, people, and communities they encounter.
Trips are thoughtfully planned with local partners, with attention to quality, safety, reliability, and value. Rather than simply organizing transportation to a destination, JCU creates experiences and itineraries that give students opportunities to engage more meaningfully with the places they visit.
A trip might include visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring an archaeological park, meeting local artisans or artists, learning from entrepreneurs, or discovering the traditions of a particular region.
This approach helps students see Italy from different perspectives and develop a deeper appreciation for the diversity of the country they are calling home during their time at JCU.
One student described the impact of discovering a destination she had never encountered before:
"I didn't even know this city existed before coming to Italy. Yet I completely fell in love with it. If I could keep just one photograph, it wouldn't be of the city itself—it would be a picture of my own eyes as I watched the sunset over Matera turning into a constellation of lights. That is the memory I will carry with me forever."
Sophia R. Study Abroad Student
Learn Through Experiential Education
The experiences students have outside the classroom can also complement what they are learning academically.
Italy provides opportunities to connect classroom subjects with real places, people, and cultural contexts. Students studying Business Administration or Marketing, for example, may encounter Italian businesses and the country's tradition of Made in Italy. Students interested in Art History or History can explore museums, archaeological sites, historic cities, and cultural landmarks firsthand.
Other experiences can connect with subjects such as Anthropology, Environmental Studies, and Communication by giving students opportunities to observe communities, environments, traditions, and cultural practices outside a traditional classroom setting.
A weekend in Matera, for example, can become more than a trip. Exploring the city's history and cultural heritage can give students a different perspective on topics they encounter in their studies.
This is part of what makes studying in Rome distinctive: Italy itself can become an extension of the classroom.
Build Friendships and Confidence Along the Way
The memories students make outside the classroom often become just as meaningful as those they make inside it.
Traveling together, navigating a new destination, trying an unfamiliar activity, or sharing a meal can quickly turn classmates and acquaintances into close friends. For students who are living abroad for the first time, these experiences can also help build confidence and independence.
Organized JCU activities allow students to explore new places while having support with the logistics of the trip. This can make it easier to step outside a familiar routine and try experiences they might not have pursued on their own.
For some students, the friendships formed during these experiences become just as meaningful as the destinations themselves.
"During my time Studying Abroad at John Cabot University, I participated in several weekend excursions outside of Rome created by the Athletics Department. The locations were both historically important and naturally beautiful. The chaperones were fun, knowledgeable, and kind. I met 2 of my friends for life, and I highly recommend all students to join them on any excursion/trip."
Christopher M. Study Abroad student
Over time, these small moments of exploration can become an important part of a student's experience abroad - from discovering a favorite destination to forming friendships that last beyond the semester.
More Than Studying Abroad
For many students, the memories created through JCU trips and activities become some of the highlights of their time in Italy.
The experience can stay with students long after they return home, particularly when a trip gives them the chance to explore somewhere new alongside friends.
"I studied abroad at JCU in the summer of 2022. I can confidently say it was one of the best times of my life! I went on a couple of school trips, including one with the Athletics Department. The Sapri trip was a highlight of my study abroad experience. I made lifelong friends and will always hold those memories close to my heart."
Maria P. Study Abroad student
At JCU, the Office of Student Engagement encourage students to slow down, explore, ask questions, meet new people, and develop a deeper appreciation for the country and cultures around them.
As the Cultural Programs motto puts it, “Wherever you go, becomes a part of you somehow.” For JCU students, the places they discover and the experiences they share can become an important part of their journey long after they leave Rome.
FAQs About Cultural Programs and Student Life at JCU
What types of cultural activities does JCU offer students? JCU Cultural Programs offer a variety of day and weekend trips, cultural activities, concerts, performances, exhibitions, and cooking classes. Activities are designed to help students experience Italy's history and culture through hands-on experience.
Can JCU students travel around Italy during their semester? Yes, JCU organizes day and weekend trips to destinations throughout Italy, giving students opportunities to explore different regions and landscapes while studying in Rome. Students can also explore Italy independently during their free time.
What destinations can students visit through JCU Cultural Programs? Destinations vary each semester. Recent and upcoming examples include Sperlonga, Tuscany, Matera, Naples, Civita di Bagnoregio and the Terme dei Papi, as well as destinations along the Italian coast and other parts of the country.
How do Cultural Programs support student life at JCU? Cultural Programs give students opportunities to explore Italy, meet other students, develop friendships, and engage with Italian history and culture outside the classroom. They are one part of the broader student experience at JCU, alongside clubs and organizations, athletics, community service, performing arts, and leadership programs.
Can cultural activities complement what students learn in class? Yes, Many experiences provide opportunities to connect academic interests with real-world places and cultural contexts. Students can explore topics related to history, art, business, marketing, anthropology, environmental studies, communication, and other disciplines through firsthand experiences in Italy.
Discover Student Life in Rome
Studying at John Cabot University means having the opportunity to experience Rome and Italy as part of your everyday life. From cultural trips and outdoor adventures to clubs, athletics, and other student activities, there are many ways to become part of the JCU community and make the most of your time abroad.
Explore JCU's student activities and discover what life beyond the classroom can look like in Rome.
👉 Explore all of our Fall 2026 Trips and Activities at JCU here.
