The passage is so dangerous that tens of thousands of people have lost their lives trying to make the journey over the past few decades. It’s not uncommon for migrants to be victims of theft, extortion or other crimes while they are in transit. They usually can’t bring much luggage on the boats, so when they often arrive in Italy with very few belongings. Many don’t speak Italian or have the cultural fluency to navigate a new country easily, and so rely on the support of informal networks of other migrants (often from their home country) to settle in, with additional help from government entities, charities or other organizations.
As the weather gets cooler here and I lament the jacket that I wish I had packed in my luggage, I admire the steadfastness and determination of other migrants settling into this city and this country, most often without the depth of financial and social resources that I have. I am excited to continue getting to know my new home and to have the privilege to get to know some of these brave individuals through my research this year.
