Joviale is a 31-years-old refugee from Congo, who arrived in Italy in October 2023 to pursue a Master’s degree, thanks to a UNHCR scholarship promoted through the UNICORE project. She highlights the limited educational opportunities for African refugees, who often live in harsh conditions and without basic necessities. Despite the challenges, Joviale’s goal was to continue her education to eventually create job opportunities for others. She had previously spent 11 years in a refugee camp in Uganda, taking care of her sibling alone after being separated from their parents, in an environment where basic necessities like food and water were scarce, her desire to continue her studies was born; she saw education as the only way out, recognizing the profound importance of seeking these opportunities.
She first earned a bachelor’s degree in Kampala and then got a job in a humanitarian organization. However, this wasn’t enough; she felt the need to continue her studies to understand how she could further help and contribute to her community. She recounts her solo journey from Kampala to Siena, after receiving the scholarship.
Initially, she had considered countries where French or English is spoken; in fact, she admits that Italy was not on her mind, as she thought she was not ready for it.
Yet, when the opportunity arose she couldn’t pass it up, especially with two university options to choose from: Bergamo and Siena. Ultimately, she chose Siena over Bergamo, due to its potential for job opportunities and a perceived lack of racism. Siena’s historical significance and UNESCO status also attracted her. Upon her arrival, Joviale was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome from strangers, including a protective figure named Vanna and a man named Pierluigi. This unexpected kindness contrasted sharply with her initial expectations, providing a positive start to her new life in Italy.
Thanks to the UNICORE project, she began her studies at the Department of Economics, supported by the COR MAGIS association, which provided her with housing. She notes that the warm airport welcome she received remains her absolute favorite memory of arriving in Italy. However, the practical realities of her new life soon presented challenges. She had to learn to navigate the city without a SIM card or Google Maps, carefully avoiding expensive mobile data charges outside her home, which only compounded her daily struggles to communicate in Italian.
She particularly highlights the communication barrier between Italians and foreigners, a challenge exacerbated by the great distance between her home and the university. Another difficulty was making friends at university: her classmates did not seem very welcoming, especially in Siena, where social groups were often already tightly formed. Integration was tough. She felt isolated and struggled with the cold weather, so different from her home country, while carrying the constant fear of “asking for too much” given the great help she had been offered from the beginning. Despite these hurdles, she continued to receive vital support from local associations and individuals, including a comforting, motherly figure from the Church.
Through it all, maintaining her cultural roots was essential. She emphasizes the importance of togetherness: in her culture, eating is a communal act, and you simply do not eat alone. Other significant aspects of her heritage include traditional greetings and enjoying local music and movies. She vividly recalls the joy of being invited to parties, where she was thrilled to finally share her Congolese music with others.
These opportunities demonstrate the importance of enriching others and helping people grow, just as they did for Joviale. She admits to having changed significantly compared to the person she was before arriving in Italy, specifically by gaining more confidence and shedding many of her fears. Drawing from her own journey, her advice to others is straightforward: prepare for challenges, remain open to new experiences, and work hard. She acknowledges that it won’t be easy, but insists it is absolutely necessary to achieve your goals. She also emphasizes the crucial importance of learning the local language and making a genuine effort to integrate into the host community.
Joviale finally graduated this past February with a degree in International Accounting and Management. Currently, she is participating in an Erasmus program, with plans to return to Siena in August.
Joviale’s dream of helping her community finally came true when she founded an organization in her home country, backed by her network of Italian contacts. This initiative has supported 740 children with their education, specifically by paying teachers’ salaries, which has successfully allowed 640 children to return to school. Additionally, the organization provides vital assistance to people with disabilities. Seeing these amazing results has made all her hard work pay off, proving that her dream was truly worth fighting for.
Looking back on her journey, Joviale expresses deep gratitude for the support she received during her studies. Now, she eagerly looks forward to future opportunities, focusing on the ongoing project that beautifully connects Siena with her home country.
