--- title: "Student Spotlight: Rajesh Francesco Cecchini, Class of 2019" description: JCU Sophomore Rajesh shares his story of moving all over the world, and finding his home at John Cabot. image: https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Stock-Photos-12.jpg --- [![JCULogo1](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo1.png?width=300&height=80&name=JCULogo1.png "JCULogo1")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) [![JCULogo2](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/JCULogo2.png?width=300&height=82&name=JCULogo2.png "JCULogo2")](https://blog.johncabot.edu/blog?hsLang=en) - [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate) - [Graduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/graduate) - [Study Abroad](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/study-abroad) - [Italian](https://blog.johncabot.edu/it/blog) - [Website](https://www.johncabot.edu/) - Filter By Topics - Scegli Il Topic # Student Spotlight: Rajesh Francesco Cecchini, Class of 2019 September 30, 2016 SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-spotlight/student-spotlight-rajesh-francesco-cecchini-class-of-2019](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-spotlight/student-spotlight-rajesh-francesco-cecchini-class-of-2019) ![](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/Stock-Photos-12.jpg) SHARE [mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-spotlight/student-spotlight-rajesh-francesco-cecchini-class-of-2019](mailto:?body=https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-spotlight/student-spotlight-rajesh-francesco-cecchini-class-of-2019) ![John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hubfs/JCUCrestWhiteonBlue-1.jpg) Written By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) Topic [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/undergraduate), [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/tag/student-spotlight) My name is Rajesh Francesco Cecchini and I am a sophomore here at [John Cabot University](http://www.johncabot.edu/). My parents are Italian, and I grew up here. Because of their work, we moved to different places such as North Africa and the United States of America. In 2011, my parents’ job transferred us to Maryland, USA.  That's where I finished high school and started university at Montgomery College. ![jcu student spotlight, international students in Rome, Jcu class of 2019](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/14232981_301687883522946_2992539746591068853_n-300x300.jpg?width=300&height=300&name=14232981_301687883522946_2992539746591068853_n-300x300.jpg) In 2015, my parents were transferred back to Italy, so I decided to follow them. I knew we were coming to live in Rome so I started searching for options I could [transfer](http://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/transfer-students/#) to. Of course there were a couple of opportunities to choose from, but John Cabot was the one that caught my attention. Actually, it was the only university I applied to, and luckily I got accepted. I have always been passionate about politics, humanistic studies, and culture so I saw a great opportunity with the [International Affairs major](http://www.johncabot.edu/academics/majors-minors/study-abroad-international-affairs-degrees.aspx) offered at JCU. I thought it was a great opportunity, because this is what I want to do with my professional career. As I mentioned, I started university in Maryland, and it was great; I loved it. Because of my family's relocation I had to come here, and I believe it is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Transitioning from an American university in the US to an American university in Rome was not so difficult, but still I had to get used to a different lifestyle and different people. I left my comfort zone, familiar places, and my friends when I came here, but it was all positive. My experience started in a very positive way because I immediately clicked and connected with the students here during Orientation. Soon after the first week, I was already attending [student organizations](http://www.johncabot.edu/student_life/clubs-organizations/#) meetings and making more and more friends! John Cabot also gives you the opportunity to network in all kinds of workshops, talks, and conferences by amazing business people, authors, diplomats, and professionals from different fields. We should definitely take advantage of this! Hopefully this networking will later help me - and all of us! - make connections in Italy and other European countries for graduate schools and opportunities for internships and jobs. I have been studying here for one semester so far, and I love it! ![13835600_10210347800550040_2099335399_o](https://blog.johncabot.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/13835600_10210347800550040_2099335399_o-300x300-Apr-20-2021-07-46-57-61-AM.jpg?width=220&height=220&name=13835600_10210347800550040_2099335399_o-300x300-Apr-20-2021-07-46-57-61-AM.jpg) Victoria Barreda de Alba [International  Business Major](http://www.johncabot.edu/academics/majors-minors/study-abroad-international-business-degrees.aspx) Class of 2017 Hometown: Reynosa, Mexico [Previous Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-spotlight/degree-seeking-students/international/student-spotlight-bethany-anne-miller-class-of-2019?hsLang=en) [View all posts](https://blog.johncabot.edu) [Next Post](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life/italian-life/rome-events-things-to-do/top-5-hidden-gems-of-rome-from-a-classical-studies-major?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe Here! ### Recommended Reading [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/undergraduate?hsLang=en) [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-spotlight?hsLang=en) ##### [10 Ways Studying at an American University in Rome Differs from College in the U.S.](https://blog.johncabot.edu/american-university-in-italy-vs-us?hsLang=en) By [John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/jcuadmissions) / July 3, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/american-university-in-italy-vs-us?hsLang=en) [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/undergraduate?hsLang=en) [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-spotlight?hsLang=en) ##### [Top 3 Student Clubs to Join at John Cabot University in Rome](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) By [Elba Maria Peña](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/elba-maria-peña) / May 8, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/student-life-clubs-jcu-rome?hsLang=en) [Undergraduate](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/undergraduate?hsLang=en) [Student Spotlight](https://blog.johncabot.edu/topic/student-spotlight?hsLang=en) ##### [What Is It Like to Move Alone to Rome for University? A Student Experience at John Cabot University](https://blog.johncabot.edu/moving-to-rome-student-university-experience?hsLang=en) By [Larue Furlani](https://blog.johncabot.edu/author/larue-furlani) / April 30, 2026 [Continue Reading](https://blog.johncabot.edu/moving-to-rome-student-university-experience?hsLang=en) ### Subscribe and stay up to date ### Subscribe and stay up to date - [Academics](https://www.johncabot.edu/academics/default.aspx) - [Admissions](https://www.johncabot.edu/admissions/default.aspx) - [Student Life](https://www.johncabot.edu/student-life/default.aspx) - [About JCU](https://www.johncabot.edu/about-jcu/default.aspx) - [Studenti Italiani](https://www.johncabot.edu/universita-americana/default.aspx) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/JohnCabotRome) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/school/john-cabot-university/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/JohnCabotUniversity) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/johncabotuniversity) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/phone.svg) [+39066819121](tel:+39066819121) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/email.svg) [admissions@johncabot.edu](mailto:admissions@johncabot.edu) ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/3067823/address.svg) Via della Lungara 233 00165 Rome, Italy [©](https://a.cms.omniupdate.com/11/?skin=oucampus&account=john-cabot&site=www&action=de&path=/default.pcf) 2025 John Cabot University ### Request Info »