Students in Graceanna Maiello’s Italian III class at Elwood-John H. Glenn High School participated in a video chat on Google Hangout with Jackie Mancini, a 2013 alumna of JGHS. Jackie is currently studying at St. John’s University in Rome and is interning at Earth Day Italia, where she translates from Italian to English for their website.

During the video chat, Jackie and the students spoke primarily in Italian. Throughout the session, the Elwood graduate answered the students’ questions about her experiences as an American student living in Rome, including her internship, her apartment and its amenities, currency exchange rates, the various travel experiences she has had, and even the differences between American and Italian pizza. While studying abroad, Jackie visited Sicily, Venice, Florence, Paris, Amsterdam and London. She noted that one of the great experiences was the art, architecture and culture of these renowned cities. She highly recommended that students participate in a study abroad program, whether in Italy or anywhere else.  

“The students were thoroughly engaged and were able to see a former John Glenn student, whom many of them know through their siblings, in a wonderful Italian experience,” said Mrs. Maiello. “They were able to converse in Italian and practice their language skills.”