The Iftar celebration that unfolded in Siena at the Oratorio Salesiano La Magione on April 3rd, 2024, was nothing short of remarkable. Words like amazing, extraordinary, and fascinating perfectly encapsulate the experience, yet unexpected and surprising are also appropriate. Our students from U.S. universities such as Siena College, SUNY Geneseo, The Ohio State University, and Eastern University bore witness to one of the most unique intercultural events in our 20-year history as a study abroad program.

Engaged in the Service-Learning project, Home 4 The World, SIS students confront the realities that face migrants in contemporary Italy. Immersed in activities like Italian and English language lessons, as well as intercultural discussions, participants are compelled to explore their own cultural backgrounds while gaining insights into the diverse cultures that converge at this unique crossroad. The challenges surrounding the refugee experience are profound, yet amidst it all, we encounter delightful, fascinating, and compassionate individuals eager to celebrate and share their heritage.

Currently, the majority of asylum seekers and refugees engaged in the Home 4 The World project come from Pakistan. Their stories are varied, with many having traversed the arduous Balkan Routes, often fleeing persecution at home. In Siena many find themselves without familial and social support, their plight is deeply moving.

It’s challenging to fully grasp the enormity of starting a new life in a foreign country.  Emotions run particularly high during holiday seasons. Ramadan, a sacred time for Muslims, unfolds with the daily ritual of fasting from dawn till dusk. The breaking of the fast, known as Iftar, is a cherished moment often marked by communal gatherings and feasts.

As we delved deeper into the significance of Ramadan with our friends, it became apparent how much they cherished the opportunity to share an Iftar with us. Our students, along with locals from Siena and members of the Pakistani migrant community put on an incredible feast, creating memories that will endure for all involved. The meal was exquisite, even by Italian standards. Yet, it was the intercultural atmosphere, where laughter and shared learning prevailed, that truly defined the evening.

Making friendships with people from Pakistan is likely not what students anticipate when they sign up to study abroad in Italy. However, it precisely aligns with our mission. While we acknowledge the importance of immersing students in Italian society and culture, we aspire for them to experience the complexities of contemporary Italy. More often than not, Italian becomes the lingua franca bridging Americans and Pakistanis, with our students even assuming the role of impromptu translators for local Italians.

Thanks to everyone involved, especially to our partners with the Oratorio Salesiano La Magione Siena.