The JCU Explore program brings together the experiential, non-academic activities offered by the Office of Student Engagement. Through cultural, culinary, travel, and outdoor experiences in Rome and across Italy, you can connect with other students and learn about the culture, history, and traditions of the country in which you live and study.
The JCU motto Explorando Excello (I excel by exploring) reflects the University’s conviction that learning continues beyond the classroom. Encountering a new place with curiosity and openness while sharing experiences with peers from different backgrounds helps you develop intercultural understanding, independence, and a sense of belonging within the JCU community.
Learn how to prepare traditional Italian dishes! JCU offers cooking classes to its students who wish to learn authentic Italian culinary traditions taught by chefs of notable Roman restaurants.
Cooking classes led by professional chefs in traditional Roman restaurants can introduce you to Italian food as an expression of regional culture, history and family life. Prepare classic dishes and share the meal at the end of the class with the other students. No prior cooking experience is required.
Guided day trips to towns, historic sites, and landscapes within reach of Rome offer you the opportunity to understand the history and traditions of the region and to see how they continue to shape local life today.
Over two or three days, you can explore other regions of Italy through guided visits, regional food, and time for independent discovery. Weekend trips allow you to appreciate the diversity of Italy’s cultures, landscapes, and traditions.
Organized in collaboration with JCU Athletics, active experiences combine hiking, outdoor activities, and time in nature. They encourage teamwork and wellbeing and offer a different perspective on the Italian landscape.
You can sign up online and pay the program fee to secure your spot. The program fee covers transportation, guided visits, entrance fees, and the meals indicated for each experience. On weekend experiences, you’re going to stay in shared rooms in vetted lodging.
Participation is open to all JCU students aged 18 and older. Each experience has its own registration and withdrawal deadlines, and some active experiences have additional requirements, such as a sports medical certificate. The current program overview, fees information, and policies are available at the dedicated JCU Explore portal.
For questions, please contact the Office of Student Engagement at [email protected].
