Reimagined communities in la città eterna : Interning abroad 

Of all my friends, I am the only one who knew what they wanted to major in immediately. I knew I wanted to study international relations, so declaring my concentration in Global Security was a no brainer. I began collecting topical knowledge like infinity stones. Cold war politics-check- US foreign policy-check- Religion and Sexuality-check. However, as my second semester of junior year came, I still had no clue what I wanted to do with all the things I had learned. I had enough credits to make fall 2023 my last semester, but I was terrified and, quite frankly lost.  

My religion and sexuality class had a module that focused on gender and religion. We talked about migrant women using their religion to establish networks and renegotiate their social contracts. After this module wheels started turning in my head. I became intrigued with the migration process as it pertains to women and children. Still, I did not know what I wanted to do! Enter Rome. Instead of graduating I decided to study abroad in a place rife with migration. I applied for an internship and got placed with Joel Nafuma Refugee Center in the heart of Rome.  

Located in a crypt of a church, JNRC serves the asylum-seeking community of Rome. Initially I distributed my time between teaching language classes, organizing psychosocial activities and the women and children’s center. However, my work in the women and children’s center is what crystalized what I wanted to do after I graduated.  

At JNRC, I am the only Black volunteer and intern, so there is a kinship between me and the women I serve- especially because majority of them come from all over the African continent. During my time there, I was able to give cultural insights that helped us serve the guests better, but I also gained firsthand insight on the tumultuous process of migration for women-especially those with children. From gender-based violence to human trafficking, the women I work with have endured so much. But regardless of these hardships, their perseverance remained. My time with these women over the past few months has highlighted the strong African diasporic communities being built in Rome.  

The sense of community is palpable. They help each other with childcare, finding work as well as bringing new people to the center to receive resources from us at JNRC. This sense of community and warmth was extended to me. I briefly mentioned the trouble I was having finding someone to do my hair type in Rome and without missing a beat these women offered; the amount of offers I got to braid my hair was heartwarming. I remember speaking to this Kenyan guest about how isolated I felt when I got to Rome, and she grabbed my hand and told me “Don’t worry you’re home.” From the best African food to where to find spices from back home- she answered every question I asked with enthusiasm. I was there to support them through their transition into Rome, but they supported me more than they know.

So, as my time at JNRC ends and I prepare to leave Rome, I have a new clarity about the path I want to take after undergraduate. I will be applying to graduate schools in Europe to focus on migration policy. Through my future research and hands on service I hope to influence equitable migration policies and practices – especially for women and children. The women I met had to go through so many loopholes to get where they are, many of which should not exist. My time in Rome has inspired me and given me the push I needed to navigate life after I graduate. I will forever carry their warmth and kindness with me, and I will remember each of them as I fight for their right to exist safely. If you would like to get hands on experience in your field, don’t worry, Temple has a list of internships for you to explore. You can study abroad and get professional experience that will hopefully inspire you as it did me.  

PS I did end up getting my hair braided.