Lia Kang- September 10th, 2008

Coming to Roma was a dream come true. Learning Italian at the University of Washington inspired me to explore Europe and its history, and with all the traveling I have done in the last month, I got a small glimpse of what Europe has to offer. When you think of Europe and specifically Italy, you think of all the touristy attractions and its beauty. During the first week of Roma, that was exactly what I got of Roma. I saw the Vatican, Colosseum, Pantheon, and the magnificent catholic churches all around us. As days pass by here in Roma, walking by the Trevi Fountain is just any other day. This got me to think how we easily take things for granted. How much my parents had to sacrifice for my education and my better future in the States and what a privileged life I have back in Seattle are some of the things that came into real realization in Italy. It is so easy to forget what you have until it is blowing away from your hands.

Underneath its beauty, Roma has its complications and its problems. How can I look at Roma the same way after listening to different people talk about the problems that Italy is facing with the immigration and education and learning about it through hands-on interactions with the refugees? Italians are optimistic, yet the immigrants and the refugees feel hopeless. Most of the refugees at St. Paul’s Refugee center were all alone here in Roma, their family scattered around the world- they didn't even know where. I just can't imagine how they live here in this foreign country without knowing where their parents and siblings are. As for me, I'm already missing back home (only been away one month and two weeks). I just can't imagine what kind of hardships they've been through at such a young age (most refugees were around 20 years old or younger!).

Today's guestspeaker was also a refugee who just became a citizen of Italy three months ago. He talked about the importance of knowing the Italian language to be accepted in this culture. Although the U.S. talks about diversity and having diversity, knowing English is important to be accepted and to feel part of the American culture. It made me think of all the immigrants in the U.S., especially my parents. I know we talk about multicultural living in this world, but I wonder its limitations and its possibilities. Before we start criticizing foreign policies and such, we need to look at ourselves, our own country, and our culture. We still have much work to do.