What is your full name?

Maria Ramos.

What is your nationality?

Cuban.

What is your date of birth?

February 10th, 1987.

Where were you born?

In Havana, Cuba.

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

I moved to the U.S in July, 2001 from Cuba.

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

I moved from Cuba to Miami Florida. 

And from Miami you moved to Philadelphia?

Yes.

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

It wasn't that good of a place to come, to think of it.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Some of my family members lived here and they said it was a good place.

What about the U.S. why did you choose the U.S?

It was a good opportunity and I wanted more freedom.

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

I went by boat from Cuba to Miami and then from Miami to Philadelphia in airplane. No I would not change anything at all because I was comfortable on what I got.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

I moved to my aunt's house. She said she had an empty room there until my parents settled in and found a job so they can rent a house here and then buy it.

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

My family: just mom, my dad and me.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your hometown and why?

The only thing I only remember was that I used to live in on the poor side of Cuba. There wasn't really that much to remember except the bad stuff and I rather not talk about it.

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

It was a big change because I had to learn English in a short amount of time. Where I used to live was really noisy and it was really bad. Now the neighborhood where I live now is really peaceful and quiet.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

In general I expected that there would be more education, better universities and colleges. I want to become a doctor when I grow up

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

I came here to accomplish in becoming a doctor. I just really wanted to live a normal life.

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

When I came here I needed to speak English and I didn't understand the customs and the way that people acted, now I do.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I had to sacrifice my dog because on the boat there wasn't any room left for him. That's what the crew members said, but even if there was my family could not afford it. So I had to leave him to my aunt.

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

My number one problem was learning English.

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

We only had a certain amount of money-not enough to come here because my parents saved so little so-my aunt just helped us out with the rest.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I enrolled to a high school E.S.O.L. program and I was able to learn English and participate in activities that helped me learn the customs on how the people lived here.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

It was worth it because I wanted to live a better life than the so-called "Good Life." I just thought we should move from a worse place to a good place.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Before I arrived I had a grade school education and after I arrived I just had that E.S.O.L program to learn English.

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

I do not regret moving at all. First I was like, "No I don't want to go because I had to learn English and I heard it was hard but now I don't regret it at all.

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

No, no reason at all.

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

I did not have a first job because I was under aged. I got the money from my parents if I asked but really from my aunt

Is there anything you would like to add?

No, just that I like the U.S., especially Philadelphia.

3/21/03