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Marquis Scholar Chantal Pasquarello '02 recently made a presentation on “Immigration to Italy and Its Consequences: The Albanian Case Study” at the 16th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research.
The paper, which grew out of an independent study conducted by Pasquarello during her study abroad in Florence, Italy, builds on research on prejudice and conflict resolution.
“Chantal has an interest in peace studies as well as issues of prejudice and tolerance. All of these issues intersect and are interrelated,” says her adviser Katalin Fabian, assistant professor of government and law. “This paper, written in Italy, tackles the problems of citizenship and prejudice faced by Albanian immigrants in Italy and all of the European Union.”
“I wanted to research this issue after comments from my host family in Florence,” explains Pasquarello, an International Affairs major. “I was intrigued by the prejudice against Albanians. I really wanted to shed some light on this issue. Trying to overcome stereotypes about Albanians inspired me to present this paper at NCUR.”
Pasquarello faced many obstacles, including conducting interviews in a second language with Italian citizens, relief workers who offer services to Albanians, as well as Albanian immigrants themselves. She also learned to navigate Italian libraries, which do not feature open stacks.
“I really came to appreciate how good I have it at Lafayette,” she says.
Pasquarello is writing her senior honors thesis on the peace processes in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, and the Middle East. She recently participated in American University's Peace and Conflict Resolution Program
With plans to enter the Peace Corps, Pasquarello hopes her life's work will focus on issues of tolerance and conflict resolution.
“I would love to work for an NGO and tackle some of these issues from that standpoint. I hope to attend graduate school and maybe law school to pursue a joint degree in this field,” she adds.
Says Fabian, “Chantal is a lively, generous spirit. Lafayette has given her a lot of support and opportunities to pursue her interests.”
Pasquarello concurs. “I really do enjoy it here. I think there are so many opportunities for students.”
A graduate of Spring Ford High School, Pasquarello is co-founder of Questioning Established Sexual Taboos, a Writing Associate, a past organizer of United Against Hate Week, and a residence adviser. She is a participant in the McKelvy Scholars Program, which brings together students of high academic achievement and promise to reside in an historic off-campus house and share in intellectual and social activities. Pasquarello also participates in Lafayette Theater.
A National Leader in Undergraduate Research. Chantal Pasquarello made a presentation on research she did under the guidance of Katalin Fabian, assistant professor of government and law, at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.