I had my own cultural barriers while growing up and at school. We were a poor family and lived in an area that was 99% Indian/Asian. That's fine, however, I felt like an outcast. I was the only white girl in my whole year at school and although I made efforts, they were frantically ignored. I never understood what they were saying as they would speak in their language and I was made to feel like a total outsider. I was alone throughout my whole time at school. I am so very bitter about it even now at 32. Don't judge me about being bitter....try being an outsider in your own country of origin. Luckily I had 1 truly great friend outside of school. She was white/English like me and she basically saved my childhood. I hated school. I then went to secondary school where there were white ppl like me...only to be bullied the whole time. Seriously, I had such a terrible time and think it's AWFUL I had to endure such things. At primary school, where I was the only white girl, I would sit by the side fence watching everyone else play....I would go to the toilets and just cry. I tried, I really did try.