Navigating Black European Identity in Southern Italy with Emmanuelle Maréchal
In this episode of Flourish in the Foreign, Emmanuelle, a 37-year-old French-Cameroonian woman living in South Italy shares her experiences growing up in Bordeaux, France, and studying Italian, which led her to move to Italy. She discusses her time in Bologna and her observations on race and identity in different European countries, including France, Germany, and the UK. Emmanuelle also talks about her podcast 'Black Coffee,' which addresses Blackness in Europe, and her Substack newsletter that explores similar themes within the realm of fashion.
Meet Emmanuelle
From South Italy with love, Emmanuelle Maréchal is a curious French-Cameroonian multilingual fashion professional who writes unapologetically about her industry in her newsletter, Le Journal Curioso. In addition to France, her native Cameroon, and Italy, she has lived in Germany and the UK. Living in all these places as a Black woman has enriched her experience and fostered her interest in exploring what it means to be Black in the European space, another topic she considers important, hence why she included it in her newsletter.
Connect with Emmanuelle
What resources (books, blogs, services, apps) did you utilize to help you go abroad & thrive abroad?
As a student in Bologna, Italy, I avoided staying with Erasmus to immerse myself better in the culture. I purposefully chose a house where my flatmates were Italian to help me adapt myself better. I also enjoyed using Couchsurfing to get to know more people and Italian culture better while travelling the country. When I left for Germany, I was lucky to intern at a company that helped its interns discover German culture, offering language classes and activities.
In my experience, I always relied on forums, writing, or meeting people directly to thrive abroad. Trying to speak the language, even a little bit, went a long way.
What is the motto (affirmation, prayer, poem, song lyrics, etc.) that you live by?
I don't have a particular motto, but I know that I will always give it my all once I decide to live somewhere.
This Episode Covers:
A French Cameroonian in Italy
Defining Home and Childhood Influences
University Life and the Erasmus Experience
Living in Bologna: Identity and Racism
Post-University: From Italy to Germany
Cultural Reflections and Dating in Germany
Transition to the UK
Accents and Cultural Differences in London
Working in Fashion
Returning to Italy During the Pandemic
Finding Community and Connection in Italy
Exploring Blackness and Family Dynamics
Episode Credits:
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Zachary Higgs-Theme Music
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