Interviewee: Ileana
Interviewer: Julissa Ramos
Relationship: mother
Date: January 15, 2002

I didn't know how to get to places. I felt lost.

What is your full name?

Ileana

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

July 19, 1962

Where were you born?

In Puerto Rico.

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

I moved to Philadelphia in July 26 1982.

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

I moved to Philly because my mother had already moved to Philly. She left me there because she wanted me to finish high school.

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

I loved everything in Puerto Rico. All I didn't like was that I had to walk a lot to go to school and catch the bus.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

My family was living there.

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

By airplane. I took the car and the bus.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

My mother already had a house here.

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

With my sister and her daughters.

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

I remember my friends and my dad. Because I missed them.

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

It changed because I didn't know English and I didn't have any friends. And I didn't know how to get to places. I felt lost. One of the differences was that it's hot over there and cold here. You speak Spanish over there and English over here.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I don't know. Well, I expected it to be nicer and to have more fun.

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

I didn't come to do anything because I didn't want to be here. They made me come here.

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

That when I came, I didn't know anyone and now I do. I know how to get to places now, before I didn't.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I left my sisters and my dad.

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

I didn't have no problems.

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

My mother sent me money to come here because I didn't have any money. I only had money for the trip.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I didn't adapt because my culture was different.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

It was worth it because that's where I meet your father.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

When I was over there I finished high school and then I took a course of cosmetology.

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

Yes, because I would had finished school. So when I got here I had to take a GED. I could of done better. I regret it when I came, not now.

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

My mom, because she needs me. She moved back to P.R. with my blind brothers.

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

My first job was making lamps at a factory.

Is there anything you would like to add?

It is not easy to move from one place to another because it's hard to find a job and learn the new language.