John Cabot University

Program Reviews

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Laura
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Go overseas

I loved it so much, the classes were just extremely time consuming. I love Rome so so so much, i will recommend it to everyone. John Cabot university is a little difficult so I wish I could have had a bit more down time to explore the city. The teachers are super passionate about their topic for class. The school buildings are really pretty and I was out in great housing through JCU. although, my housing was very small it was worth it for the location. I loved being in the neighborhood of trastevere rather than Prati area like some cea students are in.

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Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

John Cabot University

I loved the atmosphere of John Cabot. The opennnes of the campus allowed for students to really get to know the area that they live in. The neighborhood was absolutely incredible and the academics we definitely tolerable. They were amazing about academic support for their students. this program is not for someone who wants everything planned out for them because all trips on your own time. However, it is very easy to plan all of your European travels. The housing is a bit confusing with some apartments being farther away

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Clayton
3/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A fine study abroad experience

John Cabot was vacation home for students pretending to study. The courses are all designed for students to be completely checked out throughout the semester. The weekends are long and they are aware that their student body is spread across Europe every semester. Rome is dirty but JCU is located in perhaps the prettiest neighbourhood in the city. The residence halls are nice but have strange rules. Things like alcohol limits, quite hours, and courtyards that are closed despite being in the residence halls are very strange.

Pros
  • Rome has two airports for travel
  • No class on friday
  • East course work
Cons
  • Poor communication before the programs start
  • Rome
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Azzurra
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beautiful experience at JCU

I really like john cabot university,especially the atmosphere inside the university. Indeed, the environment of freedom makes everyone confident and at ease. It is beautiful to see how every one is free to express its personality, beliefs,religion, gender without being discriminated. It is also very inspiring being in contact with many different people from every part of the world. The only real challenging thing is the english language for non-native speakers because it makes the study more difficult but obviously it is a key point of the university useful to improve language skills. Overall I would absolutely recommend JCU.

Pros
  • Inclusion
  • Multicultural environment
  • Beautiful location
Cons
  • Many assignments
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Erin
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rome

I loved John Cabot. It is in a good location. It is is Rome. Classes are very smart and good discussion with teachers. The campus is beautiful. One thing I like is the new friends I made. They are from all over the world. There are many different opportunities to see Italy and Europe. The faculty is very accommodating and will help you with anything you need. I have made memorable friendships that will last forever and will keep in touch back home. The food in Rome is amazing and the culture here is unbelievable.

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Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Go to JCU

I highly recommend studying at JCU! The classes, buildings, professors, and staff are all excellent. I traveled almost every weekend and still kept up with my classes. I felt very supported by JCU if I ever needed anything. You have to be very aware of your surroundings in Rome and whenever you travel because pickpocketing and other crimes are much more common here. However, Rome is still an amazing place, and if you get the chance to study at JCU you should take it! This opportunity was truly once in a lifetime!

Pros
  • Amazing food
  • Fun atmosphere
  • Easy classes
Cons
  • Pickpocketing is very serious
  • Covid restrictions
  • Small apartments
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Robin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I had quality education and fun with people

Professors were very well prepared and lessons are not all frontal, but they made us discuss and create argumentation understanding the issues. The campuses are really nice and very well maintained. Maybe Tiber campus needs some renewal. Mine is a business degree, and is tough. However, study is compensated with fun I had with my friends I met there. The library is nice and unique, and all the books u need for your courses can be found there for scanning and ebook.
Recently, there's plenty of semester abroads and Degree seekers coming to that university because is really Americanized.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
The university has changed positively last years offering more services, majors, and oppportunities. I wish I could have started past year.
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Courtney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spring 2019

I attended JCU in the spring 2019 semester and It was the best four months of my life. I got to not only earn credits toward my degree and explore the ancient city of Rome, but I got to live in Italy for those four months on my own and make amazing memories. JCU does not have classes on Fridays, which makes It very simple for students to travel, which I loved and appreciated. Trastevere is a beautiful area, and Rome is right across the Tiber River. There is so much to explore on both sides of Rome, along with Vatican City being such a short walk away.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make every moment count! You only get to do this once! Nasones have the cleanest water you will ever taste. You can have gelato everyday, you'll walk It off. Don't eat at any restaurants where they have pictures of "their" food on the menus outside, that's a tourist trap and It won't be as good or authentic. Leave some weekends free to stay in Rome and explore! There is plenty of time to travel Europe.
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Emily
2/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Location is everything... but everything else sucks.

Trastevere is beautiful but John Cabot is not. Here are the biggest problems I encountered:

1) Housing Department: JCU has a regressive drinking policy, checking even students' trash for alcohol containers that exceed its per person limit. Further, we were not allowed to have any guests over past 11:30pm. I suppose JCU would prefer that we go to bars after curfew because we can't hang out with our friends in the comfort of our own safe homes (this is what most students resorted to)...

I was sent home after one month at JCU due to the coronavirus, and JCU refused to even partially refund housing. My home university, along with the majority of schools in the US, refunded housing without question. This was a grossly unethical decision on JCU's part.

The wifi also NEVER worked in our apartment, so I couldn't complete any homework at home. JCU housing is so expensive that students should at least be able to expect wifi.

2) Career Department: I was offered an internship in Rome before I arrived, facilitated by the career department, and they essentially forced me into the decision. Within 12 hours of receiving the offer, JCU Career Services demanded that I accept. Later on, they urged me to work more hours than I initially agreed to, at the expense of my coursework. It is very clear that this university prioritizes their industry reputation above the academic success of their students.

There are also issues with faculty responsiveness, but these are more difficult to manage. I once had a professor tell the class that he simply "doesn't check his email," so we shouldn't expect him to respond to questions about the course.

Overall, I loved Rome but I wish I had chosen a different university. I've talked to many full-time students at JCU and they also dislike much about the university.

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eleonora
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best experience in my life

I am Eleonora, a Communication student at John Cabot University. I'm from Rome but every time I enter in th JCU's buildings it's like entering in another world. There's a truly international atmosphere that is exactly what entices students to travel and study at JCU. Here, we get to know and discover new cultures and traditions. JCU abounds of extracurricular activities such as Clubs, that attract students making them an active part of the student life. Last year, I joined the Fashion Club where I had the opportunity to travel around Italy to visit and get to know the brands that have made the "Made in Italy" a business model appreciated all over the world. In short, a truly unique experience for those cannot stand still. Another experience to try here at JCU is the Athletics department. You can be part of the sports teams, compete at national and international level, always travelling in the name of sport and fun. I'm grateful to be a John Cabot student, I really couldn't have made a better choice than this.

What was your funniest moment?
During my second semester, since I was part of the fashion club's board, I had to organize the multicultural fashion show. It was a big event that needed the participation of musicians, cameraman, models, make up artists, and hair-stylists. Obviously, they were all JCU students who had the opportunity to put in practice their passions. It was a magic experience. we were so excited when we listened at the final audience's prolonged applause that made us so proud of what we did. We really had lot of fun and from that moment, every semester we reorganize the fashion show trying to recreate that exact atmosphere.