English student studying in Florida
 

Hi everybody!

I have already posted this thread in the Introduction forum (I'm new), but I feel it may be more appropriate to post it here.

I am English and in my first year of study at my English university. I have the opportunity to study in the US for a year next year (academic year 2011/2012) and I would really love to join a sorority- would this be possible? I know that as I will only be at my American university for one year that it might not be feasible, but I thought this would be the best place to ask! Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

J-A xx

People certainly have done it. It's a matter of whether the particular campus allows foreign students to participate and whether any of the groups are willing to take the chance on you. Once you decide where you are going, get in touch with the Greek Life office on that campus for more detailed information.

I'm actually going a little out of my lane here (I'm a guy in a fraternity), but here are a few things to consider:

- Sororities generally like to have people who can stick around a while so they can learn more about the organization and contribute more as an active.
- If you join a sorority, you're going to be spending a good portion of your first semester as a pledge. If you get initiated, you're going to be around as an active for just one more semester before going back to England.
- Unless the sorority you end up joining has an alumnae organization in England, you're going to lose touch pretty quickly. This isn't ideal as membership in a Greek Life organization is supposed to be for life.

In summary, you're going to a really competitive university in terms of sorority recruitment, and since you're only going to be there for a year, your situation isn't exactly ideal. You simply won't be there long enough to reap all of the benefits.

In any situation, follow the advice above and talk to the Greek Life office. You still have a chance, and there have been cases where someone joined a sorority as a senior (which puts them in a very similar situation to you).

certainly check it out-no matter which college in florida you may be attending. the sorority members might think it is really neat to have a sister from england, even if they only get to enjoy your company for one year.

So long as you are a full time student enrolled at that university, you can rush. I'd suggest not telling the sororities you will only be there for a year to increase your chances. (now waiting for people to jump all over me for saying that)

Are you suggesting that she lie when they ask? That's always a great way to start out.

Her other thread says she will be at the University of Miami. My understanding is that while recruitment there can be competitive, it's nowhere near the level that it is at the big Florida schools.

Yeah there's no way someone who's an exchange student is NOT going to get asked "So how long are you here for?" at some point. Lying = bad.

i believe you have to have 12 hours of college classes(not sure if it is miami credits or any college credits) and that formal recruitment is now held during winter semester.

OK, thanks everybody, you've been so helpful! I will contact the Greek Life office to find out some more details. It's great to know that it's not completely out of the question though! :D

I believe there is an Alumnae Panhellenic chapter in London, so your connection wouldn't necessarily be lost after just one year.

But do keep in mind that if you mean UF or FSU your chances aren't great. Both of those schools have highly competitive recruitments and they might not want to take your place away from a "real" member, or one who will be there for the long term, including lifelong alumnae involvement. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try. The recruitment process is unlike anything you'll ever do in your life, even if it doesn't work out as you'd like. And the message above about the unique perspective you can offer is right. They might like having a sister they can visit in England.

Don't know if you saw this, upthread:

And - if FSUZeta's information is correct, recruitment is during the winter so the OP would only have one semester/half a year of membership.

Maybe not such a great plan?

She could still possibly join a chapter through informal recruitment if there are chapters not at total in the fall, if the 12 class hours are any-college hours and not The U hours.

Hi there! I'm an American currently living in the UK. First off, you won't loose touch quickly if you are only around for a year! There are TONS of sorority women living overseas (in fact a lot of sororities have Virtual Alumnae Groups that help keep these sisters connected!). I also know that DG has a London Alumnae Group as well.

Anyway, it's definitely not ideal to be around only for a year, but not impossible and it gives the chapters a unique opportunity to network world-wide.

I wrote some recommendations for a young Brit who was doing a 1 year exchange program at Berkeley and she rushed successfully. I would definitely recommend talking to the Director of Greek Life about your unique circumstances. Panhellenic may be able to vote to allow you to be a "quota addition" - to allow you to pledge without taking the spot of someone who would be there for 4 years should you get a bid.

Where in England are you? Let me know if you have any additional questions/need help. I'm in Gloucestershire.

We had a cute Scottish girl go through recruitment at my (fairly competitive) university. She ended up pledging a popular group. Everyone wanted her because she was cute, nice, outgoing and foreign - something new and different. If you can be a quota addition (as WhiteDaisy said), your chances are good. If not, you may still be okay because of the whole "exotic" factor. Definitely let the Greek Life office know, and they can probably tell you what your best bet would be (formal vs informal, etc). Good luck!

Thanks Whitedaisy and angels&angels! I have checked the handbook for greek life at Miami, and it says that exchange students are allowed to rush in the fall semester. Should I still speak to the greek life office anyway though, to request that I pledge as a quota addition? How likely to you think it is that I would be granted a quota addition status?

In answer to your question, I live in Sussex, in Brighton. Where abouts in Gloucestershire are you?

Ty! x

Quota doesn't apply in the fall, because it will not be formal rush. You should, however, still contact the GL office to let them know of your interest. They will be able to either tell you which chapters are conducting fall recruitment, or pass your name along to those chapters so they can get in touch with you.

jennifer-ashley-you cannot request to pledge as a quota addition(or anything else for that matter). the greek life office has a set of rules they go by, and you will fit somewhere into the rules. the greek life office will tell you in to which category you fall.

I'm an exchange student also, and the University I go too does the International Greek Exchange, whereby you get to participate in all events with a sorority, though you are never a full member. It has worked out brilliantly for me, as being with these girls for a year has been awesome, but I feel to truly understand said GLO you would have to be a member for longer, to experience the whole thing :) Good luck though xx

i have never heard of this program jj2203. can you explain a bit more about how it works?

Could you kindly elaborate?

This may be at a campus with all local sororities.

You just get to participate in events, date parties, homecoming, philanthropy etc. but don't get iniatiated/learn ritual... it's to give exchange students a taste of greek life.

33girl - there are no locals at my school :)

Huh. Never heard of this. I wonder what the implications are in terms of Risk Management? (having a non-member participate in events). For example, for my GLO, you'd be considered a guest at date parties and other events that the fraternity sponsors (such as events associated with Homecoming). Anyone can participate in a campus-wide philanthropy, no restrictions there.

So you are not a dues-paying member, but essentially a guest, correct?

Also - you're describing primarily social aspects of Greek Life. That's the only taste of Greek life I see. Hmm.

What university was this, and what sorority did you participate with?

I'm sure everyone would like to know so they could approach their own GLO and/or campus about such a program.

It's the University of Oklahoma. 8 Sororities and 3 Fraternities are involved, though this is only the 2nd year of the programme and it is ever growing. 2 girls too each house, and 3 boys to each house. OU is a HUGE exchange school, there are literally hundreds off us, and it allows us to get a little taste of greek life, and make new friends etc. - especially as we have nothing like this at home. It's a really good programme and run but the Student Association, IFC and Panhel I believe. For the purpose of things such as intermurals etc. we are considered members of said organisation, and for other things as well... not really sure what the ins and outs are but i'm sure they have everything covered due to it being campus wide :)

Aztheta - yes just a taste, but I feel from what I see with the close bonds of the sisters, them living together in the house etc. it would not be the same to only be a member for a year, that's what I was trying to explain to the young lady was that she would only get a whirlwind experience... and maybe to see if the school does any programmes such as the one i described above :)

I'll be... I went to the OU Greek Life website and sure enough, there's a statement about how "many fraternities and sororities adopt international students." Learned something surprising and new today.

http://www.ou.edu/content/studentlif...lved/fssl.html

I'm a little shocked that people would come from abroad to go to Oklahoma.

Ha ha I know right? I'm from Scotland, and we have a really good exchange programme with OU, needless to say i'm loving it here!

AzTheta - I know, we all got an email asking if we wanted to sign up, it was a huge hit and 100's of people filled out the application - i guess I was one of the lucky ones!

You ARE indeed one of the lucky ones. And, from the sound of your writing, whichever sorority you landed in is also lucky to have you. :D

I am going to research the program this summer. From the website, I read that it's in the early stages and I'd like to learn more about it. Thank you for sharing your school with us.

Oklahoma - if I am not mistaken, isn't that a Tier One research university? So I'm not shocked that it would be attractive, on that basis alone.

Side thought: I know that UCBerkeley has a sizable foreign student enrollment. OK OK the California girl only thinks of California, I know, I know. I expect there are other universities with large enrollments of foreign students. Hmmm.

Well, if you think about it, although when US students go abroad many of them go to London, Rome, Paris, etc, there are also many who end up in smaller cities/towns/universities, because that's the program that appeals to them or that their school exchanges with. So, it's not so unlikely to have some students at OU. Which is actually a great university, although OKC and Norman suck.

It is indeed, it also has a fabby football team, a beautiful campus, a rather good nightlife and some crazy weather... all in all A LOT better than I expected it would be!

You should, it is a really great programme - it's allowed me to do something a bit out of the ordinary, and I know that I have made some lifelong friends :)

Oh, I agree, I was just surprised to hear that would be a big one. I can think of plenty of reasons, when I stop to think about it though. When I was going abroad, things like cost, course availability, and the SA program itself were as important as the actual location.

jj2203, if we have questions, will you be hanging around GC for a while after you return to Scotland?

I know UCBerkeley has a lot of International students and they sometimes participate in Greek life as well. A friend of mine is there right now and he lives in a fraternity house there (although he's not a member)

Thanks,Tulip86, and for reminding me that the correct term is "international students". DOH. I recall driving by the International House on my way to pick up my dad at work (he worked on Bancroft, just south of campus) and seeing the throngs of students. Used to love the intersection of Bancroft and Telegraph. I miss Berkeley. OK, back to the thread topic.

Decent amount of study abroad students at University of Idaho and I have actually met a guy who is an international student from NZ studying here, not study abroad.

AzTheta - I guess so... if not I could PM you my email address or something?

Why would you be shocked by this?

I think this program is a great idea, except that they never get initiated into the chapter. I wonder why they don't, anyone know? Maybe other campuses could implement this like they do upperclassman quota and call it an international student quota.