When Saima left Pakistan in 2021 to move to Italy, she carried more than just a suitcase. She carried dreams, fears, and the hope of building a meaningful future. Saima had already worked on women’s empowerment initiatives in Pakistan after completing her bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies. Later that year, she moved to Italy through a scholarship opportunity, hoping to build a stronger future in the field of international development.
But reality was not as easy as she had imagined. Everything around her felt unfamiliar, the language, the culture, and even simple daily interactions. Although Saima always tried to seize opportunities and gain experience abroad, she still felt isolated because of the language barrier.
“I always tried to integrate wherever I went,but not knowing the language and not being able to communicate was the one thing that always left me out. In the beginning, I could not make friends at all.”
She realized that international exposure alone was not enough if she could not communicate effectively in the local language. But instead of giving up, Saima made a decision that changed her life, she decided to learn Italian seriously. Day by day, word by word, conversation by conversation, she pushed herself outside her comfort zone. It was not easy. There were mistakes, embarrassing moments, and times when she wanted to quit. But she kept going because she understood that language was not only about words; it was about connection, belonging, and creating opportunities.
Then something beautiful happened.
After becoming involved in MILAGRO events in Siena, Saima slowly found a community. She met people who shared her values, interests, and passion for social impact. What once felt like loneliness began turning into friendships, collaborations, and support.
As her confidence grew, so did her purpose.
Remembering her own struggles, Saima started volunteering to teach newly arrived migrants who had zero language skills. She understood their silence, their fear, and their frustration because she had lived it herself.
“Helping them gives me immense joy,” she says, “because I know exactly what it feels like in the beginning.”
Alongside volunteering, she continued her internships and community work to build her professional experience. Step by step, her persistence started opening doors. With improved language skills and stronger confidence, she was finally able to communicate freely, access opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to the community around her.
‘’Today I feel closer than ever to achieving the dream that brought me to Italy.I may not be perfect yet, and I may still not have achieved everything I once dreamed of, but I truly feel that I am very close to it.”
Her journey is no longer only about personal success. It is about inspiring others to believe that difficult beginnings do not define the ending. And now, as she continues helping others find their voice, she has truly found her own.
