Young girl leaves country to grow up in
a big city with her family

Interviewer: Teresa Rolan
Interviewee: Teresa Santiago
Relationship: Mother
Date: June 2, 1999
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What is your full name?

Teresa Santiago.

What is your nationality?

Puerto Rican.

What is your date of birth?

December 17, 1960.

Where were you born?

Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

When did you move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S. to Philly?

I moved to the United State at the age of 7 and a half, I lived in New York until I got married.

When did you move to Philadelphia?

1982-1983.

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

My parents wanted a better life for us.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

My mother was sick and I was alone in New York and pregnant and I had a child and I wanted to take care of my mom.

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

They brought me in a car to Philadelphia.

Did you know anybody in Philadelphia? If so, who?

My mother and my stepfather.

With whom did you travel?

My parents and my brother who brought me to Philadelphia.

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

I started getting on buses go to places and I walk around, and it's not like New York - it is too crowed, the life of New York was too fast. I liked the houses in Philadelphia because it is comfortable. I would not go back - only to visit.

What were your expectations about your destination?

I wanted to be with my mom and wanted to have my child here and it would be a better place than New York. Considering that I didn't finish Community College I am planning going back. I got a GED. I took a PACT program to help kids to read. It is a good experience if you want to go on life and achieve something.

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

When I came it was better - there was not that much drugs, there was not that much people in the corner selling drugs, [maybe] but I didn't see none. But now you can't pass a corner where people aren't selling drugs. Especially the youth who are selling drugs. They are out of school or they are selling it in school. There are a lot problems in school because the [problems] are drug related and gang related. It is very different and hard.

What did you sacrifice - leave behind when you left?

I did not sacrificed nothing.

What kind of problems did you undergo during your travel, if any?

I didn't go through any problem during my travel.

How did you get the money to move?

I was living in public assistance. My stepfather and mom and my brother help with the moving van and I was going to live with my mom and there was not that much problem with that.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

I adapted very well, because it was easy, people was very nice and kind and you always see the same people to tell you, "Hello," and, "How are you doing?" and it was good.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

In New York I finish high school but I couldn't graduate because I was a few credit short to get my diploma but over here I got my GED and I took a program in PACT to help kids to in school. I went Community College but I didn't finish. I would like to finish in the near future.

Did you ever regret of moving? Why or Why not?

I don't regret moving. I wouldn't know what I would doing in New York. I think it was easier here to go to places and to get help because I had my family here and I have a better life.