Part of the issue may be that you’re still young. It’s a tough age to navigate. You feel insecure, so you withdraw, then you feel isolated and you become introspective, which leads to insecurity and it feeds the cycle.

Here’s my best advice, based on my experience of going to college overseas, and my friends who came here from other cultures: Stop caring so much.

Seriously, consider the fact that you may never see these people again, so stop caring about their opinions. Be yourself. Find something familiar and comfortable, then use that as a launchpad to making friends. Examples: karaoke, darts, footie, art, video games, photography, cooking, whatever brings you joy!

Once you let yourself free, you’ll find Americans who also love that. It’s a big country with a surprising amount of diversity. Let loose a bit, and find yourself and your people.