Describe the people you talked to. Who are they, where did you meet them, why did you choose them. What about the process. Did you hear more than you thought you would? Write all the stories you heard and also consider: how did it feel to ask Italians about immigration? How do you think they felt being asked this question by an American student (think about your points of reference)? Would they have answered differently if asked by a fellow Italian? How did you feel about this assignment in general? What was your comfort level and what borders/boundaries did you experience while engaged in this assignment. What walls did you cross?
Walking through Piazzo Vittorio was eye opening. There was an abundance of ethnic diversities and people from all origins. Kelsey and I were a little hesitant at first, but we went up to a fruit stand and began speaking to a young man, “Buongiorno, we are students from the University of Washington and we are studying in Rome. Can we ask you a few questions?” As soon as we finished speaking he motioned over another young man from the stand next to his. The first man’s lack of interest or lack of english was apparent so we asked the other man where he was from, how old he was, etc. He spoke exceptional English for first being born in the Philippines and then immigrating here to Rome. He was 24 years old and had immigrated to Rome 14 years before. Everyone in his family currently lives in the Philipines, except for his sister who was born here in Italy and goes to school here. He came to Rome to work. The Esquilino market was the pnly place he could find a job. He enjoys working there. He said it is almost impossible to find a job after 30 years old. He also believes its imperative to speak Italian if one wishes to find a job. When we asked him about immigration he said, “I have no problem with immigration, I have no comment”. After this question his body language changed and I sensed his interest leaving. He said he did not want to speak anymore so we thanked him and went on our way.
While walking through the market place we were stopped by a butcher who started to talk to Kelsey to try and get her to buy something. Excited for another opportunity to speak to an immigrant, we asked if we could ask him a few questions. He was from Egypt and had been in Rome for a year and half. He came to Rome for work but if he had a choice he would return to Egypt. He believes immigration is a good thing here in Italy and he thought it was fair. He had never been to university and was not planning on going. He said he would stay and work in Rome until he could afford to go home to Egypt.
After talking to two immigrants we decided to look for our Italian interviewee. We asked an Italian woman working at a bakery what she thought of immigration and did not understand what we were saying. We then tried our luck with two young Italian girls as they were walking out of the market. When asked about immigration, their faces were confused and did not have much to say about the subject. They seemed annoyed by the question. Inevitably, they were in a hurry and could not answer all of our questions.
It was a strange experience asking Italians about immigration. It seemed they acting exactly as they felt, annoyed. As an American, unfortunately I do have a disadvantage. I do believe they might have been less apprehensive with asking the questions if I was Italian. I enjoyed the assignment, I felt as if it was a great way to prepare the class for out research projects because we will be conducting interviews with Italians, refugees, and immigrants. It’s a surreal experience when you come from a place where most of your friends have lived in the same home their entire life, have never had to deal with the hardships of money, and then you come here and learn of people younger than you or I immigrating to multiple places, living on the streets, and doing what they can to survive.
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