Interviewee: Haydee Romero
Interviewer: Marli Cordero
Relationship: Mother
Date: December 21, 2003

A Puerto Rican mother with her dreams coming true.

What is your full name?

My name is Haydee Romero.

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

I was born March 16, 1947.

Where were you born?

I was born in Loiza, Puerto Rico,

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

I moved to Philadelphia on September 30,1984.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?
Because I wanted to learn a second language (English).

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

I like everything, everything in Puerto Rico.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because I have a relative here and he help me with my problems.

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

I traveled by plane. And I can’t change that.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

Because my relative who lived here helped me find a place.

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

I traveled with my older son.

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

All my family because I miss them.

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

I have more children and the difference between the two places is the weather and the language.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

That I was going to have a nice place to live.

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

I finish to accomplish my master’s degree.

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

My family is bigger, I have two more children and I finished my bachelor’s degree.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left all my family,

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

None,

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

I got it from my job in Puerto Rico.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

My study, enjoying my family, that’s the things that made adapt to the new country.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Because I finished my degree, I think I did a good job and that was my goal.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I had three years of university in Puerto Rico and now I have my bachelor's degree,

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

No, because I accomplished my goals.

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

My family, ‘cause I still do miss them and my country.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, where did you get money? 
I worked as a teacher for Rainbow Community Head Start.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I'm glad to be here, because I finished my goals to come to United States, to study a little of English and finish my master’s degree.


1/4/2001