Your help is needed!...Please

[Stephen]

Ok so this is my first post....

I am a 17 year old teenager.I migrated to US in June 2010.I am originally from Pakistan.Actually,I never really wanna come here.Things were going nice for me in Pakistan.My studies were alright and I was going through the usual ups and downs of the life.But my mom came here and so I had to come here.But here I realized that how different America is from Pakistan and frankly,I didn't like it.In Pakistan it is expected for the 9th grade students to be "GROWN UPS" while in US..9th grader or Freshmen act like little kids ( NO OFFENSE to anyone) ..In my 10th standard in Pakistan...we (students/friends) used to talk about politics,economy,terrorism,Islam,Islamic history,Geo-politics,internal politics  etc etc . . Yes,we weren't any experts but we were mature,sensible people.We used to listen Music,go out Party,play cricket, have fun and talk to girls on phone all night long (lol)..Life was FUN and Unpredictable ! But when I came here....my life became dull.First,if in US you don't have a car then you're literally use less.You have NO LIFE ! ..Moreover,I didn't like my school.School kids acted the way we used to behave in our 7th standard back in Pakistan.I feel like I am wasting my time in US for no reason.My friends back in Pakistan are college students (in Pak you have 11th and 12th as College) . . I am still a high school student.Moreover,It is BORING as HELL here ! I can't go outside..there are no friends of mine.Frankly,my English isn't good..I feel less confident in school because of my inability to speak fluent English.I feel that students would laugh at me (which,I know,isn't gonna happen..people are really nice ) . . But still I feel like a Looser My grades are pretty good here but remain silent in the class for most of the time.Oh and also I don't have a girlfriend  For us,having a GF or not having a GF is not a big deal..no one cares about it in Pakistan..but here it is like a "milestone" in teenagers life lol ! When my class fellows look at me in a "sympathetic" way just because I don't have a girlfriend and try to persuade me to get any girl-----I feel disgusting ! ..but I guess its the cultural thing here so I have to bear it.I am depressed  Don't know what to do..Can't go back and don't wanna live here ..Here in US,I like a Pakistani girl but I know that she'll not accept my proposal ...One more thing is my complex..Here is US..US born kids are physically way,way stronger than us (Pakistanis/Indians/Asians etc) ..I also feel little embarrassed because I am a skinny guy... with 5.8 inch height and about 135 pounds weight...I feel little under-weight

So what should I do? What is my problem? Do I have some personality disorder or something.. Can you guys help me . . .

Thanks 

[S. Earl Martin]

When I was growing up my Dad was in the military. We moved a lot so I can understand about your situation. The age you are at is very difficult because you are becoming a man and are trying to decide your future. You are right. Americans in general are less aware than other cultures. It doesn't mean they are less intellegent. I think they are used to letting the Government and the Media do their thinking. When I was in school I was more informed than my class mates. I wanted to discuss important topics. My classmates would say who cares about that? All they wanted to talk about was sports or who they were haveing sex with. Or they just wanted to get drunk or get high. As far as dateing be very careful. Americas standard is very different than Pakistan. I have known so many young people who became parents and had their life ruined. No more college. Time to get a job and support your family. Really good students who had great potential. Now they are slaveing away at some meanial job.

You are not a loser.  Check to see if your school has classes that fit your potential? Or if there is any organizations that have students that can challenge you intellectually? Does your school have counslers? Check with them and see if they can help? If your level of education is high enough you could check if you could start college now or at least start some courses at a junior college. Not haveing a car does make it difficult. Maybe you could take some online courses?

When I got bored I would read technical manuals or the encylopedia. I learned alot that paid off in later years. As for your english the text you wrote seems good to me. Try and set goals and work toward them. Research different possibilities and decide what you want to do. Good Luck and be blessed. Earl