Professor Friedman taught our morning class today, focusing on the subject of migration, markets, and minorities in the New Europe. We were to visit the Joel Nafuma Center for refugees to learn more about these issues. To get there, we had to purchase two (one euro each) tickets for the bus ride to and from the center. The public transportation system was strikingly similar to what we had in Seattle. The buses were so crammed that some members of the class couldn’t fit, and we had to leave them behind until they found the next bus.
Once everyone reunited at the Joel Nafuma Center, we met the priest in charge of the program and sat in the front rows of the upstairs church as he debriefed us with its history. Apparently, the refugee center was run in the crypts of Saint Paul’s Within the Walls. Earlier in the morning, we learned what differentiates a refugee from an immigrant: a refugee flees his native country to escape persecution. It was very interesting to discover that the Joel Nafuma Center was the only refugee center in Rome. Because Rome is such a transient city, refugees seeking political asylum can come and go as they please. However, these refugees often have trouble finding jobs in the country, and not many are able to successfully make it through life in their new country.
Once everyone reunited at the Joel Nafuma Center, we met the priest in charge of the program and sat in the front rows of the upstairs church as he debriefed us with its history. Apparently, the refugee center was run in the crypts of Saint Paul’s Within the Walls. Earlier in the morning, we learned what differentiates a refugee from an immigrant: a refugee flees his native country to escape persecution. It was very interesting to discover that the Joel Nafuma Center was the only refugee center in Rome. Because Rome is such a transient city, refugees seeking political asylum can come and go as they please. However, these refugees often have trouble finding jobs in the country, and not many are able to successfully make it through life in their new country.
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| Refugees watching a movie, just like normal people my age like to do. |
Oi, lol, you look so dark in your video post! Just kidding, but it was pretty dark. =P That's good to hear, that means that you can use public transportation to do more solo exploring when you have the time! Yes, adventures! Ping pong. =] Did you get to hear any of the refugees stories? I was going to ask another question about the refugee center, but I feel silly since it won't be answered so I'll just ask you later. =]
ReplyDeleteFeel free to use this commenting system as a forum for online discussion. I'd be happy to answer any of your questions as fast as I can. =]
ReplyDeletewhere are most of the refugees from?
ReplyDeleteMost of the refugees are from Afghanistan, Iran, and Somalia.
ReplyDeleteWow. Interesting, what other facts have you learned from this Center? And what is a euro in US currency? Haha.
ReplyDeleteWell how many refugees did you talk to while you were there and what was the saddest stories you listen to?
ReplyDelete