BACKGROUND
The interviewee has requested that their story not be shared on social media.
TRANSCRIPT
TRANSCRIBED BY Irma Ikram (x 2)
Okay, hello, how are you?
Good, how are you?
Okay, so today I'm gonna be asking you some questions. Is that all right?
Yes, it’s okay.
Okay, so the first question is, when did you start thinking about moving?
I was thinking about moving to the USA when I was like 18 years old. I have to leave the school and I coming here.
And why did you choose the United States, also known as where you went to, which was California?
Because I chose the Orange, California, a HUBZone. Friend over there to let me stay for a couple months. And then I can coming over here to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with my friends.
So they helped you.
Yes, they helped.
And how did you get to America?
Coming to America by car.
Was that a long trip?
Yeah, that was a really long trip. Almost a week.
A week? Wow.
Yeah.
And what did you think America was before you got there?
I was thinking America was a good place for getting job. Try to make money and try to help and support my family on Mexico.
And did you do that?
Yeah.
And are you happy with where you are right now?
I'm really happy to coming to the city because I have a steady life. I have good job. And I have my family. I take care of my family.
And how did you learn English?
I learned English, yes. We moved, I see the TV, movies. From the people they are working, try to learn from them.
And do you remember anything that you ate or drinked the first time you were there?
When I come here? I remember like, start eating some cheeseburgers, tacos from Taco Bell. Because I was on California so they have some kind of food like that. But when I come here to Philadelphia, I eat hoagies, I eat cheesesteaks, pizza.
Was it good?
Yeah, it was good. Thank you.
Was it first time you tried it?
Yes, that was the first time when I come here.
* The contributor of this story has asked that their name be withheld.
