Interviewer: Jennifer Ramirez 
Interviewee: Angela Romero
Relationship: Friend
Date: December 17, 2002

Angela's goals were to learn to speak, write and read English, to get her diploma and become a cosmetologist and through her struggles and with courage she accomplished her goals.

What is your full name?

Angela Romero

What is your nationality

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

February 11, 1953

Where were you born?

Puerto Rico

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

I moved to the Philadelphia from Puerto Rico in the year 1969.

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

I had to leave Puerto Rico because my mom and my dad moved to Philadelphia. My parents both moved here because they thought that it was better place for us to live in and we would have better opportunities.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country

I liked everything about my country.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S

I did not choose Philadelphia. My mom choose Philadelphia because when she first came here she liked it and because she thought it was a better place for us to live in and we would have better opportunities. Then she stood here and then sent for us in Puerto Rico.

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

I came here by airplane. No, I would not like to change it.

How did you find a place to live in Philly

My mom found a place to live for us here in Philly.

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

I traveled here with my mom.

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

I liked the countryside because it is beautiful.

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

My life changed when I moved over here because it was a new country I knew nothing about, but then little by little and day by day I got accustomed.

What did you expect about the U.S./Philly

I expected Philly to be very cold. I thought that I was going to have to wear a lot of clothing. But then I got use to it.

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

I came here when I was 14, at first I wanted to learn how to read, write, and talk English. So I went to school and I learned how to read, write, and talk English. I graduated from cosmetology school. Now I'm a hairdresser. I'm so happy that I'm doing this job as a cosmetologist. I owe all my accomplishments to this country!! But now I feel as though I still need to accomplish a lot of things but I don't have anything in my mind that I need to accomplish. Just take care of my 2 kids, work, and just live day by day.

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

The difference between when I came here and now is that I didn't know that much then and I didn't have enough knowledge then and didn't have too many experiences and now I have learned a lot and have had a lot of experiences. The difference is that I know more now than what I knew back then.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left behind my friends and my beautiful country behind. I didn't have to sacrifice anything because my family was here in Philly.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly

One of the problems that I encountered coming to the United States was the language. I didn't know any English.

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

I didn't have money. My mom was the one who supported me. She was the one who gave me money.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I became accustomed to my new environment little by little and day by day. I also got use to my new environment by going to school and learning everyday. And listening to my mom.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I think that moving to Philadelphia was worth all my changes because I would be with my mom and ever since I moved over here I went to school and I learned a lot. I have my own family now and everything is beautiful in this country. It changed me into a good and successful person.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

Before I arrived in Philadelphia I had went to grade school and completed the 6 th grade and then, when I came here, I started working and then I went to school to get my GED. Then I went to a beauty school and got a diploma for cosmetology.

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

I never regret moving because I LOVE this country!!

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

There wouldn't be any reason for me to go back because I have all my family here and everything and everyone I love. The only reason I would go back would be for vacation or to visit. Those would be the only two reasons for me to go back to Puerto Rico.

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

My first job was at a jewelry factory. My job was to assemble the jewelry.

Is there anything you would like to add

I would like to tell the kids "To have courage and go for what you want."