Professor Michèle Favorite on the Benefits of an International Undergraduate Experience
Professor Michèle Favorite
Born and raised in Naples, Professor Michèle Favorite attended Brown University in the United States and then earned a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Oxford. In addition to teaching Business Communications and Public Relations, Prof. Favorite is also Director of Italian Admissions.
What does the role of Director of Italian Admissions entail?
The role entails promoting John Cabot to students in Italian high schools in Italy and all over the world. We reach out to students in many different ways: by going into schools and talking with students, at fairs, and via social media and the internet. We also organize Open Days at John Cabot, where students and their families can come and listen to alumni and current students share their experiences and success stories. Bringing students to Trastevere and to our campuses really helps them – especially the ones who are not from Rome – get a feel for the city and our vibrant neighborhood. But most importantly, it brings home the message that they can receive a high-level American liberal arts education without leaving Italy.
Why should students choose to come to John Cabot?
John Cabot offers several unique benefits. One of them is the flexible academic system. It adapts to students’ multiple interests without forcing them into a straightjacket. They can even choose to double major and add one or more minors. This is the age when young people should be experimenting and discovering new interests, and our system encourages this. Plus, about a fourth of our students enroll as “undecided,” without knowing exactly what they want to study. That’s fine. They are excited about starting university and make up their minds within the first year after they take mandatory first-year courses.
Another reason to choose JCU is the excellence of our academics, which is confirmed by the Frank J. Guarini School of Business’ accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the recognition by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) University Program. Ours is one of fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide to be accredited by the AACSB. The CFA is the most respected and highly recognized investment management designation in the world. We are the only American university in Europe to have both accreditations.
Another reason to study here is that John Cabot provides a very international atmosphere since we attract students from 75 countries. In fact, we have the most international undergraduate campus in Italy. If you want an education that allows you to learn with people who are different from yourself, then JCU is the right place.
Tell us about the Italian Development Initiative.
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the rise in inflation have triggered a very difficult economic scenario in Italy and Europe. To counteract the economic impact of these events, the President of John Cabot, Franco Pavoncello, established the Italian Development Initiative, which reduces tuition for any Italian student who applies for the 2023-2024 academic year.
What kind of Italian students does JCU attract?
We attract students who are serious and committed, curious and flexible, open to new ideas, and who want to break out of their comfort zones. Italian students especially are looking for an international experience where they can exercise their critical thinking skills and learn in a hands-on way. An American education is a great way to complement their Italian academic background.
You just need to look at the success stories of our Italian alumni on our website to see how transformational JCU is for them. One alumnus, Giacomo Di Capua, graduated from John Cabot two years ago with a double degree in International Affairs and Business. He is now getting his master’s degree in Dublin, Ireland, and is applying to prestigious international Ph.D. programs. He has been doing phenomenal work in environmental sustainability since high school and has established himself as an international expert in the field. Among other things, he has created an NGO that has a global reach.
Where do you see John Cabot 10 years from now?
I see John Cabot as a place that will have established itself as an American liberal arts university for both graduate and undergraduate study of the highest level in the world.
