Desperate woman leaves her homeland of Puerto Rico in an attempt to
find work and a better economy. Is she successful?
Interviewer: Kenia Agosto
Interviewee: Carmen A. Melendez (mother)
What were your expectations about your destination? What were you looking for, your expectations, were you thinking about a job, a better hospital?
Yes, better doctors, better job, more friends, better living.
What sacrifice did you make when you left? Did you
leave your family?
I sacrifice my family, my mother, my sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews.
They didn't want you to leave?
No, they didn't want me to leave.
What kinds of problems did you undergo during your travel? If any? Did you have any problems getting here? Money, airplane, got sick?
I don't have any problem.
How did you get the money to move?
Work, working in Puerto Rico. Selling furniture, car, and everything.
O.K. very good. How did you adapt to your environment? Did you get use to it?
I got used to it. I didn't like it.
You only knew Spanish at first, right? And you learned how to speak English afterwards?
Yes, a little bit.
What education did you have before and after you arrived?
I have a V8 (masters) in Social Worker in the University of Puerto Rico.
So you have a college degree?
Yes.
Do you ever regret moving? Why or why not?
Yes, I regret moving.
Why?
Because of the weather, and the people is more aggressive.
More violence in Philadelphia than P.R?
Yes.
If you had a chance to move back, would you move back?
Yes, if I had the money.
You would move back?
Yes
Now Carmen, is there anything else you would like to add? About your life here, over there. How you could make it better. You can tell the difference between Puerto Rico and Philadelphia, compare them.
The weather in Puerto Rico is better, and the clothes
and everything. You can wear any clothes you want. Different than here.
I have all my family in Puerto Rico and I miss them.
