This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Tuscany, immerse in the Italian language, analyze its culture and history and explore world challenges. As a student journalist investigating cultural themes and perspectives, I was grateful to work alongside New York Times editors, learning and listening with my peers and together collaborating on projects to empower our generation to a more peaceful world. I’m excited to share this narrative as a cultural observer for The Daily China.
As reporters, we traveled to the small town of Sesto Fiorentino, located just northwest of Florence. Here we examined the challenges for migrants settling into a new country. When I arrived at the town center, I had the privilege of meeting the mayor, or sindaco of the commune, Lorenzo Falchi, where we encompassed the welcoming, accepting and inclusive sentiment of the town. We met expanding families and facilitated conversation and interviews with a small community of migrants understanding their purpose, plight and hopes for continued resources of language immersion, basic schooling and housing for settlers. We learned of the decreasing allocation of funds to these self-sufficient migrant communities, due to the current worldview, as well as spoke about the difficulties migrating to a brand new country where few speak the native language.
Another interesting stop in my cultural excursion in La Toscana was my encounter with the small, yet historic city of Prato, northwest of Florence. Prato was settled during the Middle Ages, annexed by the Medici-controlled Florentine Republic during the Renaissance, but later experienced a boom in the textile industry during the unification of Italy in the 1870s. Here I uncovered a fascinating and inspiring story of Chinese immigrants awakening a small Italian town with a surge of entrepreneurial spirit. As neighboring Florence became more and more adapt in the leather industry, Prato’s textile mills went bankrupt, one closing after another. During the late 1970s, the people of Wenzhou slowly came to Prato, reopening these mills, bringing back the glory of industry that was signed with the Made in Italy label. There was more to this though, the sentiment of the people in this town became more open, appreciative and less resistant to the old order. The Italian people were friendly to the Chinese, and vice versa, calling each other “uncle” and other affectionate nicknames. Today, Prato has grown to house the second-largest Chinese community in all of Europe. Although there are many challenges working side by side in this region, the expansion of the Wenzhou natives provided opportunities, revived the clothing industry and leather goods and supported the local commercial community. The Chinese and Italian cultures also have more in common, both emphasize the family unit and a sense of belonging to a community.
The lessons I learned in these encounters strengthened my journalistic mission to educate the public and steward peace and prosperity. As an aspiring diplomat, I look forward to expanding my worldview and strengthening the value of a cultural bridge, community and commonality.
Some of the information and pictures in this article are from the following sources:
https://www.ecnmy.org/engage/prato-chinese-stuff-look-around/
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-things-prato-italy/12/
https://www.visittuscany.com/en/ideas/multicultural-tuscany-the-chinese-new-year-in-prato/
http://www.mychinaroots.com/portfolio-items/prato-italy-todays-emigrant-workers/
I am so glad you enjoyed your study abroad experience. I went to Italy two years ago but didn’t learn nearly as much as you did. I’m really interested in seeing the places that I learned about from history class. I never learned Chinese immigrants were there though. I never would’ve guessed that so many Chinese people are in Italy now.
This makes me want to study abroad. I learned many things in this article and I want to teach others. I like how the author made the article very informative. I never knew that Italian and Chinese Cultures were intertwined. Such a good article and a worthwhile reading experience.