Interviewer: Tiffany Ristine
Interviewee: Eja Betrand
Relationship: Friend
Date: January 21, 2003

Eja came to see if she could get a better education for herself and a better life for her family.

What is your full name?

Eja Betrand

What is your nationality?

I am Jamaican.

What is your date of birth?

July 7, 1972

Where were you born?

I was born in Jamaica.

When did you (move to the US./move from somewhere else in the US.) to Philadelphia?

I came to Philly in 1987.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

We came to Philly to visit, my dad got a job and we stayed.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I liked the water and my friends.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/US?

I didn't choose Philly, my mom did. I want to go back.

How did you travel here

I flew in the sky in an airplane.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My aunt owned a house in Philly and she gave it to my mom.

With whom did you travel?

I came with my mama, two brothers and my dada.

Give one thing you remember most about your hometown and why

I remember dancing right near the beach with the music.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

My life didn't really change, it changed a little bit because I didn't get really used to Philly.

What did you expect about the U:S./Philly?

To be clean and, oh, s**t, this place is out of control, roaches here, and bodies there. It's crazy, man.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I came here to see how my education would get, and it's better.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

When I first came here I didn't know anything about anybody, but now I know a lot.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

My friends, my Barbie and my grandmamma.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

I really didn't have any problems.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I had enough to survive.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I never did really adapt to it.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes

It was worth all my changes because I really didn't make any friends when I first came but now I have enough.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I had a good education - it's the same here.

Do you fever regret moving? Why or why not?

Yes, I really, really regret moving because the shooting, man. You run from bullets all the time.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

One reason would be my family.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, how did you get money?

My first job was working at this restaurant called McDonald's cleaning and working in the back.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I want to add thank you for interviewing me and I had a great time.