Happier Abroad Forum Community

Hello,

Like the title suggest, after a long time of lurking I decided to register in this forum. I'm 22, Mexican-American college student living in the Bay Area. I grew up in a predominately immigrant Latino neighborhood near South LA. I'm bilingual in English and Spanish. Despite being a Spanish native speaker, my grammar and spelling is sub par, which is why I'm taking Spanish classes in college. I tried to teach myself Russian and German in high school but was unsuccessful. I only know a few words in those languages. I took a quarter of Mandarin Chinese. I did quite well, my teacher wanted me to continue but decided to improve my Spanish first before learning other languages.

I joined this forum because I find the discussions comparing and contrasting American vs Foriegn cultures very interesting. I see truth to what has been said regarding American culture; isolating, paranoid, cliqueish etc. Since I'm an introvert, I assumed it was just me but apparently it's not. I've also enjoyed reading posts regarding their experiences visiting and living in foreign countries. My only experience is going to Mexico for 3 weeks with my parents when I was 9 years old. I'd like to travel one day when I have time and money to do so.

I hope to learn more about other cultures, somehow contribute to the forum and meet new people. Thanks for reading

P.S edit at 5/16/11: Seems I forgot to include I'm female Hope it doesn't change those who have welcomed me so far.

Welcome. Glad you've de-lurked. I grew up in the Bay Area too, in Fremont. Nice weather, but shitty culture and social atmosphere, at least it was back in the 90's. I don't know about now.

Last time I went there as a visitor, it seemed ok, but maybe cause I was just a visitor and free of the baggage there. There's also a saying, "We see things not as they are, but as we are." I don't think it's totally true, only partially true.

@adri2789,

Sup vato. Bienvenidos a los foros de HappierAbroad.

"Hey where's my partner."

"Your partner left, homes."

(a scene from Training Day) LOL jajajajajaa Estoy bromeando asi, papo. jajajaa

Hello adri2789, glad you joined our forum!

E_Irizarry wrote:@adri2789,

Sup vato. Bienvenidos a los foros de HappierAbroad.

"Hey where's my partner."

"Your partner left, homes."

(a scene from Training Day) LOL jajajajajaa Estoy bromeando asi, papo. jajajaa

Gracias, E_Irizarry, soy vata pero gracias!

Winston wrote:Welcome. Glad you've de-lurked. I grew up in the Bay Area too, in Fremont. Nice weather, but shitty culture and social atmosphere, at least it was back in the 90's. I don't know about now.

Last time I went there as a visitor, it seemed ok, but maybe cause I was just a visitor and free of the baggage there. There's also a saying, "We see things not as they are, but as we are." I don't think it's totally true, only partially true.

Thanks for the welcome. I grew up in Los Angeles not the Bay Area. I came in at 2007 to go to Cal State. I'm graduating this winter...I hope. I read your bio that you went there too. Am I correct?

The social atmosphere is kinda cold. I don't know if it's because I'm introverted or not a native. It seems everyone on campus knows each other from high school or something. I usually stick to myself and close group of friends here. Most of my friends are not Bay Area natives.

welcome im new here too , and i also find the American vs Foreign culture discussions intriguing .