On September 23, 2025, a delegation of JCU student leaders was invited to take part in the inaugural Welcome Day event hosted by the Association of American College and University Programs in Italy (AACUPI). The event took place in Rome’s historic Palazzo Valentini, which is the headquarters of the Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, the local government authority that administers Rome and its surrounding metropolitan area.
JCU students had the chance to network with officials from the U.S. Embassy, the Canadian Embassy, the American Academy in Rome, and AACUPI. They also got to mingle with fellow students from other programs, including the University of Washington Rome Center, the University of Waterloo Rome Program, the Australian Catholic University Rome, Temple University Rome Campus, and the Pantheon Institute.
The 2025 AACUPI Welcome Day Event
The panel was moderated by Francesco Bedeschi, Director of the University of Arkansas Rome Program and AACUPI Steering Committee member, who welcomed all students in attendance to a new academic year in Rome. Next, Fabrizio Riccardelli, President of AACUPI and Director of Kent State University Florence, spoke about the history of AACUPI and the reality of studying abroad in Italy. He introduced Dr. Portia Prebys, founder, former President, and current Secretary General of AACUPI, and Vice Chair of JCU’s Board of Trustees. Dr. Prebys gave an inspiring speech about the beauty of living in the Eternal City and advised students to lean into the cultural differences.
Professor Aliza S. Wong, Director of the American Academy in Rome, encouraged students to reflect on the significance of experiencing life in a city as old and complex as Rome. She extended a heartfelt invitation to JCU students to come visit the American Academy, a renowned and diverse cultural hub not too far away from JCU’s campuses.
The panel included Martha Youth, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Rome, who explained the role of the U.S. Embassy in the life of a student abroad. She conducted a Q&A session with Andrea Clark-Grignon, Counsellor for Public Affairs and Advocacy at the Canadian Embassy in Rome.
JCU Staff and Students on Attending the Event
The JCU delegation in attendance was comprised of Sebastian Terrazas (President of Student Government), Natasha Kisila (VP of Student Government and President of Black and African Student Association), Cierra Gordon (Student Policy Advisor and VP of Black and African Student Association), Emma So (Chief of Staff of Student Government, also part of Art History Society and History and Humanities Society), Lorenzo Di Franco-Cascone (President of International Relations Society), Martina Atanasova (VP of International Relations Society), Charlie Massa (President of MUN Society), Giulia Bernardini (VP of MUN Society), Benedetta Carli (President of Women’s Leadership Initiative), Lavinia Garwood (President of Philosophy Club), and Georgi Botchorishvili (VP of Philosophy Club). They were accompanied by Dean of Students Lisa Guido, Associate Dean of Student Engagement Pilar Murguia, and Assistant Director of Student Engagement Federica Bocco.
“Welcome Day is more than just an event — it’s a celebration of community, connection, and the transformative power of international education,” said Pilar Murguia, who has represented John Cabot University within AACUPI for over a decade. “AACUPI serves as a bridge between institutions, cultures, and people. Today’s students are not just visitors in Rome— they are part of a shared journey grounded in curiosity, learning, and the hope of building a more interconnected world."
"It was a privilege to meet with students from our sister institutions brought about by AACUPI and the municipality of Roma in the sumptuous Sala del Consiglio," commented Sebastian Terrazas. "As an international student, it was an engaging experience to be able to appreciate the hard work and the dedication of these organizations that make all of our studies possible."
In the past, JCU collaborated with other AACUPI institutions on various events. These included mixers for queer students organized by the Student Engagement Office, which invited students from Duquesne University, Temple University, and the American University of Rome. JCU also partnered with Temple University for Black History Month celebrations, as well as a 2025 Eid al-Fitr celebration and chess tournament with AUR. JCU student leaders and Student Affairs staff hope to continue fostering relationships with other international campuses in Rome into this new academic year.
