When students take courses in Italian Studies, they expect to learn about the cultural and linguistic contributions of white Europeans. Language learning textbooks and the literary canon reinforce this image. However, both historically and in present-day, understandings of race in Italy and the Italian diaspora are much more complex and context dependent. With the recent increase in migration to Italy, the nature of Italian identity and who can claim Italianità have become highly contested in the public sphere. One way for students to think critically about Italian studies is by learning about the lived experiences of its marginalized and minoritized inhabitants. In an important step towards decolonizing the curriculum, some instructors have begun including literary works of Italian authors of color such as Pap Khouma and Igiaba Scego. However, various approaches beyond literary studies can showcase diverse perspectives. Based on sociolinguistic, ethnographic research analyzed in Senegal Abroad (2019), this chapter looks at how Senegalese migrants in Rome conceptualize their place in Italian society through their reflections on language learning and cultural belonging. By engaging with this type of interview data, students in Italian studies can take part in a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive classroom experience.