Council News
Meet Our New Intern!
We’re excited to welcome Francesca DiGiovanni to WACC! Originally from Cary, NC, Francesca is a junior in the Honors College at the College of Charleston, where she majors in political science and international studies and minors in communications and French.
Francesca is particularly interested in how global issues are communicated to the public and how organizations like the World Affairs Council help foster informed civic dialogue around complex international topics. She brings valuable experience to WACC from her previous role as a social media intern with the College of Charleston’s Office of Student Wellness, where she developed digital content, supported outreach strategies, and analyzed audience engagement.
Beyond the classroom, Francesca stays busy on campus. She serves as vice president of the Cougar Refugee Alliance, competes as a lawyer on the College of Charleston mock trial team, and works as an Honors College ambassador, connecting with prospective students and their families during recruitment events.
Looking ahead, Francesca hopes to pursue a career in law or public policy, with a focus on international relations or diplomacy.
When she’s not studying or getting involved on campus, Francesca enjoys traveling, reading, running, and practicing yoga. She’s also currently working toward her 200-hour yoga teaching certification!
We’re thrilled to have Francesca on the WACC team and look forward to seeing all she brings to our organization this year.
Report from the Green Heart of Italy
On April 22, 2026, a dozen travelers from six states embarked on a World Affairs Council of Philadelphia tour to Umbria, the Green Heart of Italy. Catherine Kannenberg, WACC board member and communications manager, accompanied the group as tour host and representative of WAC-Philadelphia.
Our 7-day journey through Umbria was an unforgettable immersion into one of Italy’s most beautiful and culturally rich regions. Based in Perugia, the charming “city of chocolate,” we spent each day exploring a landscape that seemed lifted from a Renaissance painting—rolling hills draped with vineyards, olive groves, and medieval hill towns perched dramatically above the countryside. From the magnificent Gothic cathedral of Orvieto to the spiritual mecca of Assisi, and across the border into Tuscany to visit the enchanting towns of Cortona and Montepulciano, we encountered layer upon layer of history. Roman engineering, Etruscan artifacts, and Gothic architecture came to life as we wandered through centuries-old streets, churches, piazzas, and archaeological treasures.
What made this experience truly exceptional was the expertise and passion of our local guides, whose knowledge transformed every site into a living story. Their insights into the region’s art, architecture, history, culture, and traditions deepened our appreciation of places we might otherwise have simply admired from afar. Among the many highlights was a cooking class at a winery, where we learned to make traditional local bread and pasta before gathering for an al fresco lunch in the vineyard. Sharing the meal we had prepared ourselves, accompanied by local wines and surrounded by the beauty of the Umbrian countryside, captured the warmth, hospitality, and enduring cultural heritage that made this tour so memorable.
Travel With Us! Visit the Travel page on our website to learn more about upcoming trips with our travel partner, the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.
