Refugees enduring their trek out of troubled Middle East and African nations through the Balkans, now face numbing autumn rains, soon to give way to the colder snows of winter, as they seek Europe’s more serene and affluent destinations. But, should providence enable them to complete their journey, other crucibles will remain. Clearly, the struggles of their predecessors to assimilate culturally and economically within these wealthier European countries constitutes the most significant hurdle confronting these newcomers, and to a similar extent, gives pause to many Europeans whose nations are still willing to accept these migrants. Why has integration proved so difficult? Well, perhaps a comparison with immigrants from other places and times can provide some insight.
