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<p>It depends on where they are from in the south. Deep south- a bit- but from main cities- they sound very similar to the people in the Northeast. there might be some twang to how they talk. People from tennessee, texas, florida and Georgia sound normal though a lot of the rural types fit the southern accent streotype. I think other posters are pointing to the claim that people in the south discriminate based on accents. Nevertheless people in the south dont rily care much about your accent. </p>
<p>I kind of understand where the OP is going to- its going to happen even more in college especially during discussion section. Everyone turns to look at you and you get nervous and forget your questions. Then people are going to get bored of you though so no worries. Your best bet is to find a group of American girls as friends and try and talk just like them. Learn to use “whatever”, “OMG”, and “like” everytime and within a month you would sound like girls straight from jersey shore.</p>
<p>Another advantage of strong accents though: You could say a lot of crap during discussions, and no one would question you because they can"t hear a single thing you are saying. Happens to me all the time- I just mumble and everyone in class nods like a zombie. Gets you extra points for participation. Another advantage is that you can get extensions in class by telling the professor how you are struggling with english. American professors are really sympathetic and assume if you have an accent you would have problem with reading english. Not true, but it works like a charm.</p>