Woman leaves her country for a better future

Interviewer: Frances Rodriguez
Interviewee: Melanie Lopez
Relationship: Friend
Date: April 1, 2000
 

What is your full name?

Melanie Lopez

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

September 11, 1972.

Where were you born?

I was born in Puerto Rico.

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

12 years ago.

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

Because I wanted a better future.

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

What I like is the nature, and what I don't like is that there's not a lot of opportunities.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

Because my sister lives here.

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

How would you change that? By plane I wouldn't change that.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

By the news paper In the classified section.

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

The first time by myself.

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

The nature because it was so beautiful like the beaches.

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

Here I have more choices, than there's in my country.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

A better life.

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

To have some surgery done, to finish college -my education.

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

I didn't speak English and didn't have no friends, now I speak the language and have friends.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

My family , friends, and my childhood.

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

I didn't speak English.

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

I had a few bucks, from my family.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I started making new friends and share my experience.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

Because now I have a better future.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I was in high school and now I have 2 years of college.

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

Yes, because I miss my family so much.

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

No reason at all.

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

I was a waitress at a Spanish restaurant . It was a very good experience for me because I was getting my own money.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Yes, I thank God for my past, my present and my future.