Interviewer: Elizabeth Bernard
Interviewee: Margarita Bernard
Language: Spanish
Translator: Elizabeth Bernard
Date: October 2000
Relationship: Mother
 

A loving mother that sacrifices everything for her family.

What is your full name?

Margarita Bernard

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

June 11, 1953

Where were you born?

Ponce, Puerto Rico.

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

I move to the United States to find a job in 1981. First I went to Perth Am Boy, New Jersey, then Connecticut then to Philadelphia.

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

So my husband could work in the United States.

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

The most I liked was that I could stay with my family, and that all my friends were over there. The most I disliked was that there weren't any jobs.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

There were much more opportunities in the United States.

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

By plane and by car. They pick me up from the airport.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My friend help me find a job. We both came to Philadelphia by car.

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

I travel with my friend.

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

I remember when I was a young girl I used to jump in the fields, I use to run and hop. Stuff like that.

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

It change when we had a better living. There were many opportunities, in Puerto Rico there wasn't.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected more whites than Puerto Ricans. (Whatever, I don't know).

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

I still have to accomplish the education for my children, and so they could have a nice future. The thing I accomplish was that I adapt and learn to live here.

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

The differences was that I adapted more to the environment.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

Family, and my beautiful country.

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

The language.

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

Only the money for the airplane ride.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I adapted living with his (husband) family they help me to recognize the country ways.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Yes, it's worth it because one reason was that he (husband) got a better job and we had a better living.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I just went up to the seventh grade in Puerto Rico.

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

No, I don't regret because we had a better living, and my children got a better education.

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

I would go back to Puerto Rico in case of an emergency or if someone in my family get sick, God forbid it happens.

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

My first job I was doing switches, and the wires to put light in the house.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Yes, I think and I give the advice that when someone comes to the United States that at least have some education and that when they come here they have to dedicate themselves to learn English so they won't have the problems that I had like that they could defend themselves more. That's all. Thank You!!