Mr. Stranger, as I'm sure you know, I relate to quite a bit of your story. Oddly enough, I've felt like a stranger in my own country and region of said country, of which I've always lived. I was convinced that I would be treated badly if I went somewhere with a different subculture, which probably wasn't true.

I was really isolated during my first graduate degree, so I understand what that's like. I was very creative and surprisingly productive during that period, but I also had to be medicated in order to not hurt myself and others (ok, I still hurt myself regardless).

I don't know what the answer is though. Maybe it does have something to do with finding the right place/culture? I have no idea. :-/