How do i get a personal Loan even when i have bad credit?

I just recently came back to the US after traveling and living in South America for quite a few years. Mainly in Brazil which is an amazing place. Anyways before i left i guess i had left a few dollars not paid off on one of my credit cards and as you could imagine that really built up and pretty much destroyed my credit. Well when i came back i went to get a Personal Loan to be able to find a good place to live and as you could probably guess i was turned down for the loan due to my credit history. Now i am left living at an old friends until i can figure out what to do. Please, any suggestions will do, thanks ahead of time for your help!