A man trying to adapt to his surroundings

Interviewer: Angel Serrano
Interviewee: Hector Gonzales
Language: English
Date of interview: November, 2000
 
 

What is your full name?

Hector Miguel Gonzales Rivera.

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rico.

What is your date of birth?

December 5, 1981.

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?

In December 5, 1994.

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

Because of family problems.

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

I liked the weather and beaches, and I didn't like the education of the schools.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S.?

Because my stepfather was in Philadelphia.

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 plane, airplane. I wouldn't change.

How did you find a place to live in Hilly?

My stepfather already had a house.

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

With my mom, and two sisters.

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

My friends, because they were good people.

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

The way I dressed and my haircuts, the schools were a lot different.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I didn't expect nothing.

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

To learn English and to go to college.

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

When I came here I didn't speak English so I couldn't talk to nobody and now I met a lot of people and I know English now.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

My family, and friends.

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

We didn't understand any English and we had problems everywhere.

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

I don't remember how much money I had.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

By talking to my neighbor.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

To look better for myself.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I was in eight grade.

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

No, because I like the school here.

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

The only way I could go back is in case of emergency.

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

My first job was KFC and my duties were cooking chicken, and I liked it.

Is there anything you would like to add?

No and thank you for interviewing me.