Imagine roaming the Vatican’s most sacred sites and then sharing the experience with people around the world. Villanova’s Vatican Internship Program affords students this uncommon chance to not only enjoy an insider’s look at such historic and revered landmarks as the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, but to turn their work into a communication medium that allows millions to tour, online, sites they might not otherwise ever see.

This project was a collaborative effort by the Vatican and Villanova University designed to bring the papal basilicas in Rome to a worldwide audience.

The Vatican granted Villanova rare clearance to photograph and design state-of-the-art Virtual Reality Tours of a number of historic basilicas. A team of students and faculty from the Communication and Computing Sciences departments spent five nights in a closed Sistine Chapel, gathering images from every corner. This was the most extensive access ever granted to an outside group.

Other Waterhouse-funded Vatican interns are contributing to the Vatican’s understanding and use of social media.

Social Justice on Film

It’s not every day that a college student gets to learn life’s lessons alongside an ex-con inspiring others to create a better life, a teenage Burmese immigrant as he confronts the challenges of a new country, or two students with cerebral palsy who overcome the prejudice and fears of others to excel in the classroom and as managers for the Villanova men’s and women’s basketball teams.

For the students of WFI’s Center for Social Justice Film, it’s just another day in the classroom.

As part of this unique program, students spend the semester learning about film and then creating documentaries that allow them to become advocates for important societal issues. To date, three classes of students with little to no prior filmmaking experience have told remarkable stories that have changed the lives of both the students and subjects involved, while challenging society’s view of the issues.

A Hand in Changing the World

It was just an article she read online; but when Jessica Lu, ’11, a Communication student, first discovered the Girl Child Network, she knew she had to get involved. Part of a series entitled “CNN Heroes,” the article profiled Girl Child Network founder Betty Makoni, who started the organization to combat sexual abuse against women and children in Zimbabwe.

Today, Girl Child Network Zimbabwe, along with the Girl Child Network Worldwide (GCNW), and other chapters provide support, treatment and education to abuse victims. And now there’s a Villanova chapter thanks to Lu and the faculty support she received at the University. On Oct. 1, 2009, Girl Child Network Worldwide: Villanova — or GCNova for short — became the first United States university organization to officially affiliate with GCNW.

These are just some of the ways Villanovans are using communication as a tool to create positive change for our society. With the establishment of WFI, students have the opportunity to make the world their classroom and impact society for years to come.