This has been really helpful! Thanks so much guys!

I get called intimidating, confident, and articulate a lot like its an insult. A lot of the people I'm friends with admit to thinking I disliked them or being afraid of me for a while.

Open Eyes, I think I'm going to assume that doing me is A OK and just try not to let being disliked get me down so much. I am getting better at it. Its a slow, slow process.

Hankster, believe me, I typically don't associate with racists. I didn't pick the people I'm with. I'm studying abroad for a month. I've been hanging out with them less and less because though they are nice people, I can't deal with the arrogance, lack of regard for others, and I drink more than I should when I'm around them.

Before I moved to university, I never had these types of problems. My friends were all older and now they are my age or younger. It sucks at times.

Here's my game plan:

don't worry about how other perceive you unless it is work or school related
decide that the primary thing I need to fix is self-disclosure and making hefty
expectations
appreciate who I have and don't mind it when I'm alone.

How does that sound?