She might mistakenly call the bathroom the loo or pronounce pasta the British way, but one thing that Rosalind Kingsley Hurst has learned the most from her big move is how to work with people.

“I learned how to meet people and make friends,” she said.

Kingsley Hurst was born in England and moved to America in 2001. Her family made their home in Manteca for about six months and moved to Turlock, where they have been ever since.

She is now a junior at Pitman High School and thinking about college. She hopes to become a psychologist or move into the law field with her eye set on the University of California, Merced.

And her passion for psychology all started with what she learned about from her big move —  people.

When she moved to America people thought she was different. She had a British accent and her family is originally from Ghana, Africa. It was hard for her at first, but she overcame that obstacle.

“I learned that you can’t like everyone and everyone can’t like you,” Hurst said.

She also had to take on the language barrier (American English versus British English), the differences in body language, relations of people and the cultural differences.

One of the things she remembers the most when arriving was how big everything was in America compared to England, she said.

“It’s a big change,” Hurst said. “Everything is different.”

She also noticed how casual the American culture is compared to the structured formal culture in England, she said. And even though the casual environment was hard for her to adjust to with other cultural differences, one thing that she really enjoys is the sunny weather in California.

“I like the sun the most,” she said. “I like that it can be 11 p.m. and still be warm at night.”

Even though she misses England, she said she couldn’t move back because she can’t tolerate the cold weather and she likes shorts too much.

In the years living as an American, she has submerged herself into the culture by playing an active role on the Pitman High choir, the Methodist Church youth group and Teens in Action. She even goes on yearly mission trips with her church to help those in need.

Through the lessons she has learned through her move, she feels like they have all helped her become the person she is today and for that she is thankful.

“It has helped me a great deal,” said Hurst. “I probably wouldn’t be myself if we wouldn’t have moved here.”

And her mother feels like the move has helped her strengthen one of her weaknesses she had back in England.

“She used to be very anti-social and shy,” said Praba Koomson, her mother. “It was a shock for her when we moved here. The casual approach to life was overwhelming. But the greatest thing this has done is help her develop herself.”