Good point, Drolefille.

I guess i'm not understanding why you would decide to not be initiated when you return? Just because you weren't initiated with your pledge class? It's unfortunate timing, but I don't understand your reasoning. You still have senior year to be a Chi O collegiate, and a lifetime afterward. If you had joined one of the other sororities on campus, would you feel the same way? After all, you wouldn't be initiated as a founder there, and the traditions are probably more set-in-stone. Just something to think about.

um
 

Sorry, not trying to be rude but

REALITY CHECK PEOPLE

College is a lot more then Greek life, I hope we all acknowledge that. She was offered a once in a lifetime INTERNSHIP at the EU, it's not like the head of the local school board asked her to come work for a semester or something (though I am in NO way discounting that position).

Shouldn't the chapter support her in the awesome opportunity she has? What happened to scholastics coming first? Isn't a sorority supposed to help you realize your dreams and your true potential? Personally I like to feel that my organization is supportive and looking out for me and wanting me to excel in every aspect of my life instead of just being a social/party network.

I know I'm not a ChiO, but I have heard the symphony, and just remember to "place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances." You have an amazing opportunity before you, and yes, it's not fair that you'd have to wait to be initiated (though I do agree with whoever suggested looking at being able to fly back?), but I know my chapter always talks about 'living the creed' and I can't imagine a more perfect example. You will still have time to bond with the girls once you come back, maybe you can even try to send them a weekly letter or something to keep them posted on the internship and how Europe is. Your connection to your sisters is as strong as you make it.

Sorry, had to get that out!

I completely agree. I worked in Washington DC for a semester when I was in school. It was my junior year. Yes, it was hard to know that things were goign on without me but I would NEVER give up an opportunity like you have been given. I think the suggestions about a weekly letter or email would be a great was to keep in touch with your sisters. Also, if you encourage them to write you as well then you probably won't feel left out.

I remember it being strange at first when I returned to my chapter, because I had experienced so much while I was away but not much seemed to have changed back at school. But after a couple weeks everything was back to normal and so were all my friendships.

I strongly encourage you to take the opportunity to work at the EU. I also strongly encourage you to have faith in your new sisters and your ability to stay connected to them while you are gone.

Ahoy,

Thank you everyone for all the advice. I really do appreciate it and I can see both sides of staying here and going abroad. My main concern with all this was really staying in touch with a group of girls that I have just started to get to know and then jetting away for so long. It was starting to feel that no matter what choice I made, I'd end up feeling bad and wishing I had done the other and I really hate ever regretting anything I do.

Btw,
One of our nationals emailed me and it touched me in that she took the time to just send out her email and number. She also mentioned how being a ChiO alumnae is just as important to her if not more than her college years, so I'm really glad I'm going to stick it through. Even if it is only one year,

Again, thanks ladies. I know I'm going to be sad when I'm 6 time zones away and my sisters are being initiated but I know its for the best. Also, I set up a blog so that everyone can be up to date on what happens while I'm over there so its kind of like sending a weekly email.

Have a great weekend ladies and thanks for listening and your advice. :)

Glad to hear you what you decided, I think it is excellent, and I am insanely jealous! All the best!

I think you are making the right decision. Everyone I know who did not study abroad in college says it is their biggest regret, but I have never once heard someone say they wish they had been more involved in their chapter.

Good for you, girl! You are making a fabulous decision. Here's one of my favorite quotes, and while it's a little trite, it really inspires me. I hope it inspires you too:

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." -Henry David Thoreau

Best of luck to you! And have a wonderful time :D

Greetings from Europe
 

Ello' Ladies,

just wanted to say hi to everyone. Only 3.5 months till I get initiated!
Yes, my sisters were iniated (and the chapter installed officially) January 7th. I'm glad they got to go through it and am just itchy to do it myself. It seems the farther I am from chapter, the more I want to go.

Oh! I was asked (in dutch no less) why I was wearing greek letters by a baker who apparently doesn't know what sororities are. Plus now I have pics of me in letters standing next to Parliament!

:) I still keep reading GC, btw. You ladies keep me laughing.

Yay! Many congrats! And pictures like that are awesome memories (not to mention great for recruitment videos/slideshows! )

Glad to hear you're already having a good time and making some memories. I always found it hard to explain the meaning of a sorority to my English classmates. I think they ( mostly guys) were caught up on the whole "pillowfights in their underwear" jokes. :)

I totally agree!

There was a guy I knew from Scotland (who was a foriegn exchange student at my high school and we just kept in touch after we both went away to college) that was so intruiged when I told him I joined a sorority. I'd email him pictures of me & my sisters wearing letters or at different events and he thought it was the coolest thing :)

it is great to hear from you!! savor every moment of your european adventure. please keep in touch with gc!!

One great thing about being initiated is being able to do a Sister Search on the Member Services side of the GLO's website.

I know you're not initiated yet, but it would be great if you could find other members of your org over there to hang out with!:D

Wow, can I fly over and visit you? haha I hope you're having an absolute blast!!!