Four Siblings at JCU: Meet the Di Maggios
Born and raised in a small town in Puglia to a British mother and Italian father, the four Di Maggio siblings all attended John Cabot University. The first to attend JCU, was Domizia, the oldest. She wanted to study in English to improve her command of the language and have more opportunities in the future, and then she found out about JCU.
“When my parents and I visited JCU for the first time it was unbelievable, we found a multicultural community in the heart of Rome, and I felt immediately at home,” said Domizia. She decided to pursue a double major in Communications and Marketing, and graduated in 2017. “Now, looking back I realize that JCU gave me much more than a degree. It gave me long-term friends, gave me my first internship experience, and taught me to be open-minded and curious by exposing me to an international environment.” Domizia then went on to earn an M.Sc. in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Manchester. She is currently working in business development for Ubuntu, an open-source operating system.
From left: Domizia, Giordano, Tiberia, and Jonathan Di Maggio
The next sibling to attend JCU was Giordano, who graduated in 2019 with a B.A. in Economics and Finance and a minor in Marketing. “I couldn’t be happier about my choice to attend JCU. My English improved a lot, and I was able to graduate on time. The University then helped me find an internship as an Operations Associate at Morrow Sodali, a leading provider of strategic advice and shareholder services. I was then accepted for an M.Sc. in Finance and Investment at The University of Nottingham, from which I graduated at the end of 2021,” explained Giordano.
The two younger siblings, Jonathan and Tiberia, are currently attending JCU. Jonathan is a senior double majoring in Communications and International Affairs, and Tiberia is a junior majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Communications.
“The factors that contributed to my decision to come to Rome are many, but it’s mostly thanks to my siblings that I decided to attend JCU, as the University seemed the best and most suitable choice for us,” said Jonathan. “Growing up, we always shared everything. But rather than material possessions, the best things we shared were experiences. It’s all thanks to my older sister, Domizia, who paved the way for us by choosing JCU in the first place, that we decided to attend the University,” explained Tiberia.
“I love the atmosphere at JCU. The collaboration among peers is one of the most important factors in an educational community,” said Jonathan. For Tiberia, the best part of being a student at JCU is its international environment. “It’s really important for me to connect with other cultures because having friends from different countries makes me feel like a global citizen. JCU’s environment also allows me to be myself without fear because I am accepted for who I really am,” added Tiberia.
When asked about why all four siblings decided to attend JCU, Domizia explained that it was a coincidence. “We all chose JCU for different reasons and we all pursued different degrees. But I also think that my siblings saw my wonderful experience and trusted they would have one too.”
To Italian students who might be wary about studying at an American University, the Di Maggio siblings say to look out for new experiences that can make them more adaptable and open-minded. According to Tiberia, “We live in a world full of opportunities, so be curious and ready for change. Moreover, the American system is quite pragmatic, and it allows students to better remember what they learn, which makes the lessons much more enjoyable. Another important feature of JCU is that classes rarely have more than 20 students, so the professors actually know who you are, you’re not just a number in a class full of 200 people or more.”
Regarding their plans for the future, Tiberia would like to travel around the world. “I would like to find a job that gives me the opportunity to travel a lot, and to experience life abroad to the fullest,” she said. Jonathan’s plans, on the other hand, are still not clearly defined, but he would like to “focus on the academic, political, and legal environment, along with the communications field.”
Giordano would like to be a fund manager in a financial institution. “My aspiration is to be able to manage a lot of money,” he explained. Domizia said that she loves working in tech and that she would like to make an impact in the industry. “I also know that I was very lucky, so I hope to be able to give back so that somebody else can have the opportunities I had,” said Domizia.
