Taera,
first off all (as other people on this forum) i didn't have an easy youth. To much to sum up here but sufice it to say that i can relate to some of your comments.
The impression that i get from your story is that you used to have a nice social life in your homecountry. If that is the case, the problem isn't your social skills rather a problem adapting to the country you're in. And maybe like you mentioned not having mastered the language in such a level so you feel confident to talk to complete strangers.
Anyhow, join a sportsclub, computerclub, chess club anything that makes you leave the house. I for example tend to be a loner yet i like people too. So i drive myself out of the house: i have started my own indoor soccer team (we are playing the cup final in the competition we are in, woohoo
) and i took up American Football here (Belgium). Choose something you like and join a club. really. This will let you meet people with the same interests and that will put the focus on the sport, or what the club does and not on say, you not speaking perfect english or whatever. After you have a few friends, you automatically meet friends of those friends and the ball starts rolling.
As for the girl, i wouldn't try anything if you're not at ease with yourself. Make sure you feel allright about yourself before you try anything. Otherwise it will make a relationship harder and i talk from experience. Nearly ended my relationship with the girl that now is my wife
But if you feel so super strongly about this girl that it hurts, i would make sure my feelings are genuine ( not a simple crush that goes away after you see another beautiful girl) and then talk to her. If you talk to her, do not immediately say: "i'm in love". Start with something humorous and give little hints that you like her and that you find her beautiful. It will give her time to adjust and not be overwhelmed.
And when you go for her, be prepared to lose her friendship although i know plenty of people who experienced something similar and are still friends with the person that had a crush on them.
So it's possible to stay friends.
Hope this helps