Interviewee: Judith Colon
Interviewer: Milton Baez
Relationship: Mother
Date: November 12, 2002

 She likes living in Philadelphia better than Puerto Rico, there is no city
better than Philly and she'll live here forever.

What is your full name?

Judith Colon

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

September 30,1963

Where were you born?

Moca, Puerto Rico

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

1979

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

Had personal problems with my parents.

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

Working everyday with my mother in the field.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I had family members living here

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

I travel bye plane, I wouldn’t change that.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Moved in with my aunt.

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

Came with my brother.

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

Christmas, Three Kings day.

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

Well I gotten smarter, More intelligent, Got married, had kids. I feel more happy. I feel there’s more opportunity for jobs, More education.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

A place more civilized, People to be friendly.

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

To make a family, to work, to do anything possible for my kids.

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

Back then it was less violence, not so much drugs.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left my family behind.

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

Didn’t know to speak English, Hard to find a job.

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

$200.Got it from my parents.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

My family help me adapt to my new environment and I learn to adapt quickly.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

More opptunity for me and for my children.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Have i really didn’t no education I left school at 4th grade

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

No, cause I really like living in Philly.

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

Visit my family/ family reunions.

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

Packing boxes.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I can say the most that I like about Philly is that I adapted quickly physically and mentally for the 23 years I been living here with the people around me I love To make as many accomplishments as possible, especially to my two kids (Milton, Mario), Give them anything they need and want plus the love I give them.

Thank you.