Interviewer: Raul Benitez
Interviewee: Myrna I. Arroyo
Relationship: Mother
Date: May, 2002
 

The trouble with moving on

What is your full name?

Myrna I. Arroyo

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

October 8, 1968

Where were you born?

Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

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

July 29, 1990

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

July 29, 1990

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

Where I lived, in Puerto Rico, I liked the beaches, the camps and all the historical places. There wasn't anything that I didn't like about Puerto Rico.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I chose Philadelphia because I had family that lived there.

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

I got to the airport by car and from there we left on the plane.

How did you find a place to live in Phil?

When I arrived, I found the place (Philly) really different from where I use to live. Everything looked the same. I moved in with my cousin and her family, then later on, I was able to live in my own place.

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

I traveled with the father of my kids and my three sons.

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

What I remember most was the mischievous things we used to do like when we use to go into the neighbor's yard and take the fruits that he grew and ate them.

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

I had to learn to fend for myself, not depend on others and the difference was that if I had stayed there I would still be depending on my parents but here I learned that you have to fight for what they want.

What did you expect about the US/Phil?

I didn't really expect anything.

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

To change, to try to supersede myself. I still feel that I should make more of an effort in learning the language.

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

The difference was that when I arrived at this city I felt lost. It was something different; but now, even though I donut know a lot, it is easier for me to go out there on my own.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

Nothing. I didn't have anything. I lived with my parents: my husband and I didn't have a job.

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

Adapting to a knew place, its customs and the language.

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

I didn't have any. I borrowed money from someone.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I adapted by trying to learn the language.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

The change was worth it because I learned what it meant to work hard, to go forward and teach my kids to go ahead in life and to put them in the right path.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I reached the 10th grade and then dropped out but later on I got my GED in P.R.

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

No. Here I feel calm and I own a tranquil and stable home.

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

My first job was a little difficult for me. It was an office job but the barrier I faced was that I didn't know English too well but it was a gratifying experience. I give thanks because that work experience motivated me to go on and do my best.