Interviewee: Lisa Maxine Scipio
Interviewer: Candice Brown
Relationship: Friend
Date: January 12, 2002
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Women comes from Trinidad and Tobago to the
United States for economic opportunity

What is your full name?

Lisa Maxine Scipio.

What is your nationality?

West Indian.

What is your date of birth?

February 4, 1970.

Where were you born?

Trinidad and Tobago.

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

February 7, 1975.

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

My mother.

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

Nothing.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Mother choose the U.S., Philly because of my boyfriend.

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

Plane, I wouldn't have change that.

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

I traveled with my grandfather.

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

Fruits and vegetables, because they were much fresher.

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

The people was much ruder, ignorant, loud, and brash.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I didn't expect much.

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

I really didn't have any expectations or goals, I wanted to have a better relationship with my mom.

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

I have better understanding of people, matured and grown.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

My best friends, and the relationship with my grand parents.

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

SEPTA.

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

I don't know: accounting manger at Beco.

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

Learning my way on the EL and on the bus and going into the city often.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Growth process.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

In Trinidad, 5th grade and U.S. went to the 6th grade.

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

No, because there are more opportunities in the U.S. than in Trinidad and Tobago.

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

The death of my grandmother or seeing the house that grew up in.