A lack of friends helps him get a good education
Interviewee: Alexander Rodriguez
Date: March, 2000
What is your full name?
Alexander Rodriguez
What is your nationality?
I am Puerto Rican.
What is your date of birth?
My birth date is 8-9-80, August 9, 1980
Where were you born?
I was born in Puerto Rico.
When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in
the U.S.) to Philadelphia?
In 1995.
Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?
I left Because my parents choose to.
What did you like/dislike about your home/country?
I disliked the hot weather all year around.
Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?
I did not pick Puerto Rico, Philadelphia, my parents choose to pick Philadelphia.
How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you
use/take to travel here? How would you change that?
We picked airplane.
How did you find a place to live in Philly?
Well, my family had a house already over here. Actually they had a couple.
With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]
With my family my mom, my father and brother.
Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?
I just actually liked the Latin foods all around Puerto Rico.
How did your life change when you moved and what were the
differences between the two places?
Well, the difference was that Puerto Rico I had a lot of friends and I wasn't really paying attention to school but when I came to Philadelphia I barely had friends so I paid more attention to school.
What did you expect about the US/Philly?
A better education
What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you
feel you still need to do?
To graduate high school and a better education
What are the differences between when you came here and now?
The differences are that I know more English than before and working on my career.
What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?
I left a couple of relatives and friends that I know.
What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?
Well, I didn't know that much English but I started learning English and couldn't get around. I didn't know how to use public transportation and also it was hard for me to find a job.
How much money did you have and where did you get it when
you came to Philly/US?
Well, I didn't have no money - my parents supported me.
How did you adapt to your new environment?
Well, at first it was difficult but now it's easy because I didn't know how to use public transportation and in school I had friends and teachers helping me out.
Why do you think it was worth all your changes?
It was worth all my changes because I got an education, graduated out of high school. Also I am working on my nursing career.
What education did you have before/after you arrived?
I had a 9th grade education level.
Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?
No, I don't regret moving because I think I made myself better over here because now I got a diploma and I'm also working on my career and in the future I do come out doing what I want to do.
What reason would/could make you go back to where you came
from?
I would just like to go back to Puerto Rico to visit relatives and see my old friends.
Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, who
did you get money?
Well, my parent's always supported me.
Is there anything you would like to add?
No there is nothing.
