<p>This is my first post on college confidential and I really don't know how to initiate this discussion, I'm sorry. So I was an immigrant with broken English when I first moved to the States 3 years ago, now my English accent still sucks. I started this thread impulsively because I don't want to end up like Teddy Graubard, no offense. I tried to achieve a lot in the past three years, got into a top private school in the country (when I first moved to U.S. I scored barely a 15% on the ISEE, but ever since I've improved a lot), made varsity for two sports I've never played before the age of 15, qualified multiple USAxOs, etc. I hate money, even though my parents are billionaires and I have black Amex card, I'm not happy. Maybe because my English really sucks, I always feel impossible to approach many of my classmates. People say I work so hard for college, which is ********, I don't even care about college except the fact that I want to make my parents happy. I think I might have Asperger's disease but I'm sure my parents will think I'm insane. I mean I'm not depressed or anything I just feel like life is a little void, I can strive at school and I don't even have to work the rest of my life, what's the point of life? Sometimes I feel like I don't have enough American friends, this is apparently a sharp contrast from the life 3 yaers ago in another country where I was under the spot lights.</p>
<p>I really don't know what I'm saying, pardon me. Maybe I will go and see a psychologist or whatever specialists you guys call.</p>
<p>I happen to be reading a book right now about high achieving high schoolers, with affluent, well-educated, and involved (over-involved?) parents, and the depression and emptiness that the various pressures of this type of achievement-oriented life is causing for these teenagers.</p>
<p>You are not alone in how you feel. It would be very helpful to talk with someone like a counselor or therapist, and many teenagers are doing so.</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re a fairly normal kid having fairly normal growing pains…with a few twists! It’s normal to want to break out of the mold, find your own thing, etc. - your diction seems to be making you feel a bit awkward or different and most teenagers hate that feeling. So, you get a diction coach (since you can obviously afford it) or just enlist a friend to help you practice speaking just as Americans do when they’re living abroad. Girls, btw, generally like to help people and many find foreign accents intriguing anyway:) </p>
<p>If you feel that you would benefit from speaking to a therapist then you probably would. It’s not a cure, just a tool and you may have to interview several to find a good fit. If you have a religious affiliate on campus, they often have great people who are used to working with students and are easy to establish a rapport with.</p>
<p>Your parents are billionaires? I would figure there are few enough that someone could take that, recent immigrants to America, and high school aged kid and figure out exactly who you are. Multiple USAxOs is just extra confirmation. Unless of 'course… your parents aren’t billionaires. </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, next time you might want to try to boast about your accomplishments and general awesomeness a little less. I bet you have promise though, good luck.</p>
<p>But anyway, since your parents are billionaires, you can obviously pay for all the different psychiatric specialists you want. Just get like 3 or 4 of each. Go for it!</p>
<p>This is one thing that can, indeed, be fixed. It is not easy, and it is not quick, but it can be done. If you cannot find a private Accent Reduction instructor who will work with you intensively one-on-one, order “Clear Speech from the Start Student’s Book with Audio CD: Basic Pronunciation and Listening Comprehension in North American English” by Judy B. Gilbert from your favorite book store. Spend the money for the Teacher’s manual as well so that you can better understand how to do the exercises. This should set you back about $50. Then do the exercises. Don’t just sit and look at the book.</p>
<p>You won’t see an immediate improvement, and you will probably want to follow up with more advanced materials, but this should give you a decent start.</p>
<p>I send you a hug! Many, many cultures are warmer than Americans. The key to friends is through small groups – there are a zillion ways to get into a small group, so work on an assortment. It doesn’t matter whether it is African violet growers, parachute team or sword swallowers, be a joiner. Give a group a concentrated effort for six months and then evaluate whether or not you want to continue. (ie, don’t just go once or twice and bail out). </p>
<p>Some highly qualified job applicants learn to “dumb” down their resumes in order to re enter the job market. You may need to tone down your family/dollar situation to make meaningful connections. Look for places and ways that you can make a difference in the world. </p>
<p>True story: I met a fine fellow and his wife-- just nicest kind of people – at a volunteer gathering for a small fall festival. He is a doctor that specializes in geriatrics. He works in some rather tough nursing homes. He makes a real difference in the lives of people that many others have discarded. He is a modest man. Ask him where he went to school and he’ll say “in Boston.” You have to know him well to know that he attended Harvard and is the offspring of a very wealthy family. He has found peace, serenity and a strong sense of self worth in his work and in volunteering. </p>
<p>If you think you have Asperger’s, you are probably right. Please educate yourself throughly about the syndrome AND where Asperger’s folks succeed (Microsoft has a whole division of Aspie’s – they bring some special abilities to the table). </p>
<p>Find a community you enjoy and work you believe in could make a huge difference in your happiness. If you are headed to college, please take every advantage of small groups opportunities (hiking junket before class begins? Summer study group? Sign UP!!!). </p>
<p>School is very sequential. What comes after 10th grade? 11th grade! Then all of a sudden you are looking at the end of 12th grade and . . . what comes next can be very challenging to figure out. </p>
<p>Please look into Deep Springs College . . . and other places that are both small and challenging. That combination might really speak to your heart. </p>