immigrant interview by

Immigrant person interview

kayla_jefferies — 2025-02-02 02:01:34 UTC

Yoreliz was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. She grew up with 6 siblings and her mother and step father. She states in her home, her mother was the head of household. They moved to Pennsylvania when she was 11 years old. Now she has a husband and two children. Because she learned English quickly she doesn't have any worries about her and her family's health.

What culture do you belong?

kayla_jefferies — 2025-02-02 02:07:00 UTC

Yoreliz states she feels very strongly connected to her culture even though she moved to Pennsylvania. There is still a large Puerto rican presence in the state of PA and she visits her home (PR) often. She was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico. She first moved to Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and then settled with her own family in Enola.

Cultural Sanctions

kayla_jefferies — 2025-02-02 02:14:15 UTC

Yoreliz states most people in her culture grow up keeping a lot of emotions and feelings inside. They are taught by the older generation not to complain and to push through tough emotions/times for the sake of their family. In her culture everyone, even friends are considered family, so when there is a death it is taken hard, and these people are remembered long after they are gone.

There is no limit to how one can dress, or any requirement to be modest. There is also no limit to dating, having big families is the norm. Puerto Ricans are a very warm and welcoming group and would treat nurses as a friend.

What are your health beliefs

kayla_jefferies — 2025-02-02 02:25:12 UTC

Yoreliz does not have a specific religious affiliation. She does believe in God and celebrates 3 kings' day. She states the elder generations are very religious, considered Christian and often go to church multiple times a week. They try to convince their children and grandchildren to go to church, but many people her age within the culture feel like you can believe in God without needing to go to church.

There are not cultural healers, but they do use prayer a lot if someone becomes ill/sick. Also bringing the ill person and their family food is normal.

Ideal body type in Puerto Rico would be thin. Most Puerto Ricans joke that when you leave to live in the States you will become fat. The food and the lifestyle is very different. People on the island are very active and walk more than here in the US.

Yoreliz states Puerto Ricans are so diverse that depending on how you look, you may perceive nurses or healthcare differently. She states as a Afro-Latina, she does feel discriminated against, especially when having pain. However, her husband, who is racially white, has never had a problem with healthcare workers or nurses.

Yoreliz states mental health is not something people discuss openly in their culture. You have to put your family first and not burden them with your problems.

Development Considerations

kayla_jefferies — 2025-02-02 02:31:09 UTC

Aging is viewed as a gift. The elderly are often visited and communicated with almost daily. When someone becomes ill from age, the family will often want to keep the elder in home close to family. The elder will often want to refuse care and still be independent. They don't expect anyone to care for them, but often times the family will.

Religious Affiliations

kayla_jefferies — 2025-02-02 02:37:25 UTC

Her religion doesn't restrict her from receiving any type of care. She actually had bone cancer in her Jaw when she was in High School. Her family often prayed over her and prayed about her in church.

If someone is terminally ill, they will continue to pray and visit the person often. Being near family is very important in times of illness.

nutrition

kayla_jefferies — 2025-02-02 02:42:51 UTC

Food is very important in Yoreliz culture. Sitting down as a family and eating together is something she still does. She sees people in the states eat in separate places and she refuses to do it. Cooking for someone is a very big deal in Puerto Rico, it's an act of love.

Rice dishes are a staple. You will usually have a protein like chicken, pork, or beef, with a side of rice. They will often eat rice with every meal. They do have dinner earlier than most people in the states.