> I started the year sitting alone in a secluded corner of the cafeteria but eventually found a group of 3 other complete social outcasts to sit with.

We're thinking about whether to stay in Italy or go to the US, and this is definitely a big plus for Italy: sure, people have groups and cliques and things, but nowhere near like they do in the states. Or at least that's been my experience, and is somewhat confirmed by most of my friends here. I don't know any 'geeks' here who are as socially out of place as many in the US - everyone has friends, most all of them have girlfriends, social lives, and hobbies and activities outside of computers.