Problems with her mother opens a new life

Interviewer: Erica Sicard
Interviewee: Frances Borges
Relationship: Family Friend
Date: December 15, 2002

What is your full name?

Frances Borges

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican

What is your date of birth?

I rather not say.

Where were you born?

Puerto Rico.

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

I moved to the United States when I was 15 years old.

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

I left Puerto Rico because I was giving my mom a hard time and my grandmother lived in Philadelphia so my mom sent me away.

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

I loved everything about my hometown but, my mom thought my friends were being a bad influence on me so, she sent me to live with my grandmother.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

My mom chose Philly because my grandmother lived here.

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

My method of transportation was airplane. I would not change that.  It was the fastest way to get here.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

I moved with my grandmother.

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

I traveled with my mother.

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

What I remember most about my hometown is picking the fruits from the trees, I loved to do that.

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

It was not that bad since I already knew English (my mother spoke both English and Spanish). The difference was more buildings.

What did you except about the U.S./ Philly?

Nothing much.

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

My mom sent me here to see if I would change my attitude if she moved me far from my friends and it worked because I started going to school and I graduated and went to college.

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

Things are pretty much the same.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I sacrificed not seeing my mother for a while (even though she came to visit).

What problems did you encounter coming to the U.S./Philly?

None.

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

My grandmother took care of me and my mother would send me money when she could

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I adapted well because, like I said, I already knew English.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

I am a better person.

Do you ever regret moving? why or why not?

No, because my life turned out good.

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

I visit sometimes.

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

I worked at McDonald's when I was 16 or 17 years old.