Interviewee: Santa Acosta
Interviewer: Jacqueline Pagan
Relationship: Grandmother
Date: September 30, 2001
 
 

A woman moves to Philly to build a better life for her and her family!

What is your full name?

Santa Acosta

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

August 24, 1935

Where were you born?

Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

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

In 1959.

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

I was looking for a better life for my family and me.

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

I like everything about Puerto Rico, the only thing I didn't like was the fact that there weren't many jobs.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because at that time my first husband had a job here and said that there was better opportunity here.

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

I came to Philadelphia in a two motor airplane. I wouldn't change anything about the trip.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

At first I lived with my sister-in-law until we had enough money to get our own place.

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

I traveled with my 3 youngest children. I have 7 but I could only afford to take my 3 youngest with me.

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

I really don't remember much of it because I was 24 when I left and now I'm 66 and old age has made me forget. But I remember the hot weather over there.

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

My life changed for the better. I found a job, and I had enough money to send for the rest of my children and give them all a better life. First, there's the weather, in Puerto Rico it is always hot, here the climate changes. I also think that in Puerto Rico there aren't as many problems as there are here.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected many great things about Philadelphia, but the only good thing was the job opportunities that they had.

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

I got to give my children great opportunity and a better life. That was my dream. I don't think I have anything else I have to accomplish. I lived my life to the fullest.

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

A lot of things have changed. They have a lot more opportunities with jobs, housing is better also. Everything has changed for the good and now I have roots here.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

A lot of good memories and my family.

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

I didn't have any problems.

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

I had about $200. My husband made the money working.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I had problems getting used to living here at first. I wasn't used to the weather changes or the way the people were here, but slowly I got used to it.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I felt it in my heart that all this was worth it because I gave my children a better life and I made new roots here.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Before I came here I only got to the 4th grade in Puerto Rico because education wasn't so important. After I came I just figured it was too late for an education.

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

I hated leaving Puerto Rico but I knew it was for the best. I tried to move back but since I was having complications I knew it wasn't worth it.

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

No reason could make me go back because I got used to it here and I learned to love it here.

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

My first job here was working in a hanger company.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I don't have anything else to say about myself, just that I live a very simple life, hard but simple. I was just happy to give my kids a simple life.