I’m a orphan refugee who comes from Africa to study in the US . After talking with a few american friends, I’ve begun to realize how different their lives are to mine. From having huge friends circles ( 2000+ FB friends) to seemingly simple things like having a loving family. I’ve spent my own life, so far, carrying myself around and I can’t help but feel somewhat inadequate. I thought my circumstances were normal - though I’ve come to discover that my “normal” isn’t exactly the same as their “normal”.I don’t have trouble making friends and I’m known to be quite charismatic. But there come moments when I can’t relate to my american friends because they have personal problems which are “alien-like” to me. Things like their parents " constantly monitoring" them or their woes in the dating culture (whatever that’s suppose to mean). I don’t really understand how they have so much “security” in their lives - they seem to very care-free i the why they approach their lives. I’m quite curious to why that is actually 
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My point is though, as I am starting college this fall, I am unsure as to how certain social circles will view me - especially, come to think of it, girls who are the same age as I. Should I attempt to fit in? Should I keep my personal detail a secret?I don’t know what to do.
Thanks in Advance.
I think one of the most amazing things about my college experience so far is meeting people who are from a different background. It really is eye opening to meet people with completely different experiences from you. You will be able to make friends and shouldn’t have to hide your past. You may have to adjust to different social norms or may have to try new things with friends, but you shouldn’t have to hide anything. If they are really your friends, they will accept you for who you are.
Take advantage of whatever clubs and activities interest you when in the first couple of months. The best way to meet people you might have something in common with is at such events. If you make friends easily, that’s great. You don’t have to meet people though and say, “hi, my name is Abdul, I’m an orphan from Africa.”
Conversations and friendships evolve naturally. When you become friendly enough with new people, and people start talking about their personal lives, you can tell them more about yourself when you feel comfortable doing so. You will probably find that people will be fascinated with your story, because it is so different from theirs. I know my kid is really enjoying making friends with international students at her college, because they have such different backgrounds.
As far as having 2000 facebook friends, that’s all really silly. In real life, no one has or needs 2000 friends. If you have one person you feel comfortable spending time with, that’s great. Any more people than that are a bonus. For what it’s worth, my kid has about 400 Facebook friends and NEVER goes on facebook. It’s a collection that is pretty meaningless. Just be yourself, and let any new friendships happen naturally. And expect things to be hard for a couple of months, because you will be facing a lot of new and unsettling things, especially as a foreign student. Rest assured that all college freshman have a hard time in some way, and that things will eventually work themselves out. Enjoy whatever good things come your way, and think of the not so good things as a learning experieince.