HI!!! You are ALIVE!

In regards to the top comment - I say this with authority. :D - You are indeed the Authority and full of awesome!

It is making assumptions that get to me so much as the lack of any further inspection or understanding of other English speaking culture. Everyone makes assumptions, it is just the way humans are, but at times assumptions without review can be a very negative thing.

no one ever again asks me to explain "my country's" actions. Personally I'd find that extremely rude (unless it was a joke between close friends), I have cut people off for less. And you shouldn't stop using 'school' when talking about 'uni', everyone I know does it. School is the all encompassing term for everything from primary to tertiary level studies. At least I think that's what it means.

It isn't something I talk much about - I left China when I was 9, and then spent the following 2 years in Dublin, Ireland. I loved Ireland; people were so friendly, and I loved the school, never felt excluded even when the whole school would go to communion every couple of weeks.

When I arrived in Perth, well - I pretty much hated the place on sight, it took about 2 to 3 years to stop hating the place. I hated the weather, I hated the television (going from cable to like 4 channels was just evil), and I hated the people, because omfg, Perth has some truly racist pricks, and the complete utter lack of respect for any other culture but there’s pretty much meant I despised the place.

It is now home, and while it isn’t perfect I kind of love it.