Like Daughter, Like Mother: Meet Kimberly and Grace Wainscoat
Kimberly Wainscoat and her daughter Grace came to Rome all the way from the San Francisco Bay Area to study art history at JCU. Grace came first in 2017 as an undergraduate student, and now she is in law school at the University of San Francisco, while Kimberly is currently pursuing her MA in Art History at JCU.
Who first discovered John Cabot University?
Grace: My mom brought JCU to my awareness. When I first started looking at colleges, I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to study. I’m of Italian origin on my mom’s side; she helped me stay connected to that side of our culture, and we spent some time living in Italy when I was 13. I was very curious about re-exploring that side of me as an adult and learning more about Italian history and the language. That’s why I did a gap year in Florence, where I studied at the British Institute for a semester. I really loved it, so I decided I wanted to go back. That’s how we found out about JCU.
At first, I declared art history as my major, but I was also taking other humanities classes, like philosophy and on-site courses. I loved the community – I met amazing people while at JCU, all with international backgrounds. I felt empowered by the professors and the way they treated me with dignity and respect, in particular Professor Inge Hansen, who taught me Ancient Roman art history. My mom recommended John Cabot University to me, and I recommended Professor Hansen to her when she came here to study, so we both had her as a professor.
How did you decide on JCU for a master’s degree?
Kimberly: My undergraduate degree is in Theater Arts, but I took some classes on Ancient Greek theater, so I’ve always been interested in ancient history. I was sort of living vicariously through Grace. When she came to Italy to study, I thought that it was wonderful. So, I promised myself that when my youngest turned 18, I would come here and do it. And so here I am. It has been so rewarding to actually give this opportunity to myself and to share my love for Italy and art with my daughter. It’s like we speak a similar language now: we are connected in a way we had never been before.
I didn’t even think of applying to another school because I remembered all the things that Grace had told me about JCU. I wanted to learn more about Italian culture and the history of Rome, so the on-site courses were what ultimately drew me in. I thought that I could have done this perfectly well in a class in San Francisco, but, since I had the opportunity to be on-site, I was really happy to make this choice.
You ended up transferring to the University of California at Berkley to study Society and Environment. Tell us about the academic path that led you there.
Grace: I had an interest shift because I was immersed in so many new ideas at JCU. For example, in my philosophy classes, we talked about the ethics of love, nature, and animals. I remember being particularly impressed with Professor Tom Bailey’s classes, where we analyzed the connection between philosophy and climate change, and the human impact on it. He was very supportive and helped me unpack all of those concepts. This eventually led me to switch majors at Berkley to what is called Society and Environment. It focuses more on the connection between policy and environmental justice, as well as climate change. So, even though I didn’t stay at JCU, it still had a huge impact on me. I even ended up using my experience in Professor Bailey’s class to win a scholarship. I am now in law school at the University of San Francisco, specializing in animal law. So, I can safely say I can track JCU’s influence in my life up until this very moment.
How has your experience been, as a nontraditional-aged student at JCU?
Kimberly: There are a few women and men my age. It has been fun to socialize with them, go to dinner together, and have them as friends. Most of the students are my daughter’s age, and they have been very helpful and welcoming. A lot of them have an undergraduate degree in art history, so I tend to turn to them for some academic questions. Overall, I have found a very intimate and supportive environment. I even recommended JCU to some friends of mine.
I feel like I’m learning and growing so much. Before I started, I had ideas that I am now reconsidering. I am shocked at how transformative it has been, especially thanks to Professor Hansen’s class. I always thought of art history in a very static way, but I suddenly realized that it is really not. It is so alive. It’s given me a new perspective on the world and life itself: 2000 years ago suddenly no longer seems so far away. That is the biggest thing I’ve learned here.
What’s next for you?
Grace: I’m looking at finishing law school in Spring 2025, and then I am planning to take the California bar exam. I will soon start working at a law firm in Berkeley that specializes in environmental and animal law. I am very interested in working on any sort of strategic advocacy around climate change, such as filing lawsuits to enforce laws that protect animals and the environment.
Do you have any advice for prospective students who are considering studying abroad?
Grace: The idea of going abroad may seem daunting, but I think it is extremely transformative and can be an amazing experience. There is no reason to shy away from it. Rome becomes home very quickly – at least, it did to me. I loved being a degree-seeking student, even though I ended up leaving. I loved the fact that it is possible to spend four years at JCU, that you can study more than just a semester abroad. I’ve loved watching my mother learn all of these things and exploring new areas. She is a writer and a scholar, but now she’s also become an art historian. We went to the Capitoline Museum yesterday and she was able to explain many works of art to me. JCU has had a very lasting impact on our lives.
