A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend some time talking with two Somali men here in Italy. We weren’t doing an interview. We were simply talking about life. Little by little, they started sharing their journey with me. It made me realize that we often hear people talk about immigration without really knowing the stories behind it.

Around 2014, both of them left Somalia in search of a better future. Like many others, they crossed through Egypt before boarding a small boat to Italy. They told me they spent around twelve days at sea. Twelve days. Just imagining that journey is difficult. Leaving your family behind, not knowing if you’ll reach the other side, hoping that tomorrow will be better than yesterday.

The Journey That Doesn’t End at the Coast

When they finally arrived in Italy, their journey wasn’t over. One continued to Austria before later moving to Germany. The other left Italy as well and spent several years in another European country before eventually returning. Like many migrants, they were simply trying to find the place where they could build a stable life.

Today, they are both back in Italy. They work in construction. Every morning, they wake up around four o’clock. Sometimes they travel to Milan. Sometimes to Venice. Sometimes to Iseo. Several hours of commuting. A full day of physical work. Then they come home, sleep, and do it all again the next morning.

“Many people only see the journey across the sea. Very few people see what comes after.”

— Behind Every Migrant Is a Story You Don’t See

• The early mornings.
• The hard physical work.
• The language barriers.
• The paperwork.
• The years spent trying to build a life from nothing.

Why Early Preparation is the Safest Strategy

Of course, crossing the Mediterranean on a small boat is extremely dangerous. Every year, many people lose their lives trying to reach Europe. No dream is worth losing your life for. Whenever possible, legal pathways should always be the first option. That doesn’t mean the legal path is easy. It also requires patience, preparation and determination. But it allows people to build their future without putting their lives at risk.

One thing I have learned through IDA International Mobility Consulting is that many people begin preparing too late. They wait until they find an opportunity before learning the language. They wait until an employer contacts them before preparing their documents. They wait until applications open before trying to understand the process. Preparation should start much earlier.

If your goal is to work in Italy, start learning Italian today. Even reaching a B1 level can open many more opportunities and make daily life much easier. Build your professional experience. Keep your documents organized. Learn how the administrative procedures work. If you qualify, explore legal opportunities such as the Decreto Flussi or direct recruitment by Italian companies.

Recently, for example, I noticed that the Municipality of Brescia opened a recruitment process for bus drivers. Opportunities like this remind us that Italy needs workers in several sectors. But employers are not only looking for technical skills:

• Communication matters.
• Integration matters.
• Preparation matters.

I am not an immigration lawyer, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But I believe in something very simple. Behind every migrant is a human being. Someone with dreams. Someone who has made sacrifices. Someone who simply wants the chance to build a better future. And if I can help even one person choose a safer, legal, and better prepared path, then everything I share through IDA is worth it. Because international mobility is not just about moving from one country to another. It is about building a life with dignity.

Ismaël Dadis Adam
Founder, IDA International Mobility Consulting

Ready to start your journey the right way? Don’t wait until opportunities pass you by. Early preparation is the key to building a safe, legal, and dignified life in Italy. Whether you need help with document preparation, language requirements, or navigating entry pathways like the Decreto Flussi, we are here to guide you step-by-step.

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