Interviewee: Olga I. Medina
Interviewer: Yahaira Rivera
Relationship: Mother
Date: January 6, 2004

A woman who was moved from the only life she knew.

What is your full name?

What is your nationality?

What is your date of birth?

Where were you born?

I was born in Rochester, N.Y. but I was raised in Puerto Rico.

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

We moved in 1981, when I was 15 years old.

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

My mother wanted a better life for my brothers, sisters and me.

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

I liked that Puerto Rico has warm weather and nice beaches but they were far from my house.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

My mom had family and friends here.

How did you travel here ?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

We traveled in an airplane and I wouldn't change that.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

We first moved in with my aunt and later we got a house of our own.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

With my mom, brothers and sisters.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

I'd have to say the weather because it hardly ever was cold. Plus I hate winter.

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

My life changed a lot. The differences between the two are the schools, weather and a lot of other things. It was a big change for me.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected the houses to have land between them but instead the houses are attached. Basically, I thought Philly was going to be like Puerto Rico because I never went anywhere else.

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

I came here to start a new life. I feel that I would like to get my G.E.D. I also would like to see my kids go to college and have a great life.

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

I have 5 kids, 2 grandkids and 1 on the way. I have my own house and I have a good job that I love. Although, I don't keep in touch with my family very much.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left my friends, some of my family members, my house and the life that I only knew.

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

Learning English, having to find a new house and a couple of other problems.

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

I don't exactly know the amount, but I know that it was a lot of money because my mom owned a club. She sold it and we moved here.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I gave myself time to settle in. Then I just gave Philly a chance and stayed here since.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I think that it was worth all my changes because of my kids and the life that I have learn to appreciate because of my life experiences.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I had a ninth grade education before I came. When I came I didn't go back to school because I had to start working.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

No, because, like I said before, it was worth it.

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

There wouldn't be a reason because all of my family moved here and that would've been the only reason.

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

My first job here was McDonald's.

Is there anything you would like to add?

No, not really. But thank you for this interview.