Testimonies

I participated in a roots tourism program promoted by an Italian-American association. It was structured as a cultural and personal development program. Visiting Piedmont, learning the stories of emigrants, and listening to the tales of local elders gave me a fuller and more authentic image of my own identity. It's an experience I recommend to anyone who wants to rediscover a sense of belonging, beyond geographical borders.

I initially approached my Italian roots out of academic curiosity. But what I experienced in Italy exceeded all expectations. Finding my great-great-grandfather's birth certificate, speaking with municipal archivists, and discovering that my surname is still present in the area made me feel part of a larger story. I am now deepening my study of the Italian language and culture with the goal of returning and collaborating with local organizations on the topic of migrant memory.

When I set foot in the small town in the province of Salerno where my great-grandfather was born, I realized that the names on the street signs were the same ones I read in the records of my Italian-American students. The history I teach in the classroom came to life among those stone streets. I was able to show my students how family history is intertwined with collective history, and how important it is to know where we come from.