You’ve probably glimpsed the world of fraternities and sororities at U.S. colleges. You might have seen them in a movie, or maybe you have a friend who is in one. They are an American tradition, but prospective international students may be confused as to how these groups work.
The following points can help prospective students learn more about Greek life, as well as its benefits and drawbacks.
At many U.S. colleges, male students generally have the option of joining a fraternity, and sororities are typically for female students. These organizations are commonly referred to as Greek organizations because they typically use two or three Greek letters as their name. Members are referred to as brothers or sisters.
[Learn what surprises international students about joining a fraternity or sorority.]
Only one national organization can have a particular Greek name. These organizations are divided into chapters across campuses in the U.S.
Greek organizations aim to promote common goals. Students who join Greek life make a commitment to further their brothers’ and sisters’ development through college, as well as their own. These groups are mostly social, and help you meet people that share similar interests and beliefs.
[Get tips on how U.S. and international students can become friends.]
One student from Hong Kong, an alum of the University of Illinois–Chicago, told me she joined the international sorority Alpha Kappa Delta Phi during her sophomore year. It helped her network and meet someone new pretty frequently, and she made friends who helped her grow as a person and a professional.
While social Greek organizations are the most common, there are also professional, service, cultural and honors organizations.
Professional organizations promote the interests of particular professions and are generally restricted to your field of study. Honors organizations and societies are typically for those who have received good grades and achieved highly in a particular area of study, and cultural organizations are for students interested in a specific culture, religion or ethnicity. Service organizations are for those keen on helping the community.
There’s often no paperwork involved with joining a Greek organization — it’s typically based around an activity known as “rushing.” Prospective members visit different fraternities and sororities and decide which ones might suit them best. A decision to join a particular chapter should be based on extensive research and connections made with members when visiting the chapter.
After the rush period is over, Greek organizations send out invitations for people to join, known as bids. If you receive a bid from an organization you want to join and you accept, this is known as accepting the bid. This makes you a “pledge,” and gives you the opportunity to learn more about the chapter you joined and determine whether it’s right for you.
Later on, successful pledges participate in an initiation — a formal ceremony for new members.
What Are Some Reasons to Go Greek?
It takes work to find friends in college, and you have to put yourself out there in order to get to know people better. Joining a Greek organization can offer an instant community. The people you meet in your chapter are likely to become your friends for life.
One 2012 study revealed that nearly 40 percent of international students had no close American friends. Joining a Greek organization can help break down that barrier and allow international students to get the full American college experience.
There are also plenty of opportunities for leadership and community service. Greek organizations typically hold fundraisers and other fun activities that draw a lot of people. Plus, members can add those experiences to their resumes.
One of the best aspects of Greek life is the support system. Whenever you’re having trouble with school, work or your relationships, you’ll have your brothers and sisters to fall back on. Some Greek organizations also offer tutoring and academic help.
A Chinese student at the University of Michigan who is a brother of Lambda Phi Epsilon, the largest Asian interest fraternity in the world, pledged during his freshman year. He told me that it was scary starting out in a new country without any friends and family, and he thought joining an Asian organization would help him get to know people without having to worry about cultural clashes or misunderstandings. The organization helped him learn more about his field of study and build relationships. His brothers even pushed him to get his grades up to get into his major.
[Read about ways U.S. colleges work to support international students.]
What Should I Consider Before Joining?
The advantages of Greek life may draw you in — but it’s important to remember that some parts of it can be less attractive.
There are expenses when it comes to joining a Greek organization; many have recruitment fees, house fees and dues, for example. Some of these are optional, but some aren’t. Know if you can afford to join.
And yes, there will be parties — at some chapters, many of them.
Some fraternities and sororities frequently host parties, activities and meetings. It can be easy to get caught up in it all and forget about other priorities. School and other friends and opportunities might slip by the wayside. Make sure you don’t lose focus.
Drinking is a problem on college campuses across the U.S., and can be within Greek life too. You need to decide if you plan to drink in the first place as well as figure out your limits. Also, ask yourself whether you’re a party person. It’s OK not to go to parties, but know that they are typically a large part of Greek life.
As for me, I never joined a Greek organization. It wasn’t a factor for me when I was applying, but Penn State has a significant Greek population. Although I’ve had sororities try to recruit me during the first few months of my freshman year, I wasn’t interested. I simply didn’t want to commit to anything other than my classes because I wanted settle into college life first — at my own pace.
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Judge the Appeal of Greek Life for International Students originally appeared on usnews.com