Diversity and cultural encounters at an Italian university: exploring social representations and individual paths of migrant students

Globalization, migration and internationalisation of Universities have contributed to enhance the mobility of students at tertiary level, a phenomenon that is rather tangible when looking at “international students”. This group of students, although often treated as a homogeneous one, gathers many different profiles that have specific motivations and intentions. Thus, academic performance (or dropouts), (il)legal status recognition and/or renewal, social ex/inclusion, participation and empowerment (or structural violence and discrimination) are some of the factors that can foster - or hinder – an international (and migratory) experience. In the case of international students at Italian universities, recent studies have shown that this group is rather heterogeneous. This paper explores the cultural encounters that take place at campus and the social construction of diversity in the students’ experiences at a large Italian university. It also deals with the role of universities in promoting inclusivity and fostering participation and empowerment of migrant students. Qualitative methodology was used to explore the discursive construction of social representations as well as identity, belonging and discrimination issues related to the migratory experiences. Results concern both the institutional perspective and the students’ perspective, revealing an imbalance of power that, in some cases, led to complaint/conflict with the host university. The students’ identity emerges as an intercultural one and, as such, constructed, negotiated and contested (Mantovani, 2004). Recommendations concern the necessity of enhancing university policies and services towards the real needs of international students.