Interviewer: Ilham Mustafa
Interviewee: Gabriela Torres
Language: English
Date: November, 2000
 

Girl leaves behind her friends and her boyfriend to move to Philly

What is your full name?

Gabriela Torres

What is your nationality?

My mom is Puerto Rican but my dad's European, so I'm mixed.

What is your date of birth?

June 19, 1984

Where were you born?

Puerto Rico

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

October 10, 2000

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

We left Virginia beach because my mom likes to move around a lot.

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

I liked that there's always something to do: like there's always like a concerts or something going on. I disliked that some people were closed minded.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I didn't chose my mom did.

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

I wouldn't change it, but we came by a car.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My mom went to some real estate thing and bought a house.

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

With my boyfriend.

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

Concerts and the skate park.

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

I usually was going out a lot and hanging out with my friends, but when moved here there's nothing to do.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I thought it was going to be more to do.

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

I didn't really come here to accomplish anything, I don't really think I need to do anything.

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

I'm more open, I talk to more people, I know more people.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left behind my boyfriend and a lot of my close friends.

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 had 400 bucks and that was my last paycheck from working at the Dairy Queen.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I'm still in the process of adapt and meeting people.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Over here there, like, more people, over there you don't get to meet a lot of people and it's definitely worth it.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I was a sophomore going on to a junior and I went to summer school before I left.

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

I kind'a do regret moving because I miss my life back in Virginia Beach, but it's all right, I'm adapting to it.

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

Well, if I had a chance I would most definitely go back.

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

I don't have a job and I get money from my mom.