The life of a women leaving her homeland for greater opportunities.

 

Date: May 29,1999
Interviewer: Juan Vega
Interviewee: Eduardo Gonzalez
 

Where did you come from?

I came from Ponce, Puerto Rico.

How did you get to the U.S?

My husband sent money for me and my kids to come and be with him in New York where he had just bought a house and wanted me to come live with him.

Why did you chose to come to the U.S?

Because the U.S. presented a lot of opportunities for me and my kids. My children can get better pay so I can give my kids the things they need.

What did you do for a living?

I was working in a nursing home for nine years helping the elderly in their time of need.

Did you go to high school?

Yes, I went as far as the 10th grade in high school before I was pregnant with my first child, your mother Nivea Santiago. I did, however, go to nursing school for a couple of years to get the job that I always wanted to do.

How did you adapt to your environment?

It was very difficult at first because I did not learn how to speak any English. I wasn't able to communicate with the people here as I did in Puerto Rico.

How did you learn to speak English?

I learned to speak English from the street, watching TV, and from my children who learned to speak English while they were in high school. It was very difficult, but I learned enough to communicate with the people around me.

Did you regret leaving Puerto Rico?

No, because New York presented me with a lot of opportunities that Puerto Rico didn't. The only regret I had was that I had to leave some of my family members behind, but they eventually moved to Philadelphia in a couple of years.