Exchange
 

Hey guys,
Im an Aussie bloke currently in my 3rd year of my degree, and i am looking at doing exchange for my final three subjects (all of which are electives) and i was just wondering if anyone could give me a bit of advice about what its like for exchange students to rush.... is there like a seperate fraternity for all the 'internationals' or are all fraternities pretty well open for all nationalities? im just curious thats all, and if anyone knows any fraternities they would recommend me rushing? Its all just in planning at the moment, so any info would be greatly appreciated

Cheers
:)

There is no separate national fraternity (please use the full form of the word) for international students.

Every chapter of every fraternity is different at every campus. The only way to find out which is right for you is to go through rush.

Thanks for the reply 33girl, i have attached below, the list of universities which i am eligible to do exchange at, and i am wondering if anyone knows any of these universities chapters, or could recommend any universities. Thanks in advance.

USA University of New Mexico University of Florida
Gainesville Sep - Dec
Jan - Apr Summer semester also available Montana State University
Boseman Sep - Dec
Jan - Apr English Utah State University
Logan Sep - Dec
Jan - Apr English California State University System Campuses at:

Bakersfield
Channel Island
Chico
Dominguez Hills
Fresno
Fullerton
Hayward
Humbodt
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Maritime Academy
Morterey Bay
Northridge
Poly Pomona
Sacramento
San Bernadino
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose
San Luis Obispo
San Marcos
Sonoma
Stanislaus

University of North Carolina Exchange Program Visit www.uncep.org Appalachian State University, Boone
Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City
Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville
NC Agricultural & Technology State University, Greensboro
North Carolina Central University, Durham
North Carolina State University, Raleigh
UNC Asheville, Asheville
UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill
UNC Charlotte, Charlotte
UNC Greensboro, Greensboro
UNC Pembroke, Pembroke
UNC Wilmington, Wilmington
Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem

I know there is a lot, but if anyone has any information about any they would recommend, it would be greatly appreciated.

I don't think any of those would be opposed to an Australian as a general rule, but they might take exception with you being there not very long.

If you're going to be at a campus for only a semester, it might not even be long enough to get initiated. It wouldn't be at most fraternities at my campus.

Ah ok, fair enough, so would you recommend me even pledging? Like i would like to stay and become an active, its just that i only have 1 subject left to do, and to be allowed to do exchange i need to do 3 subjects, so i am doing an extra 2 subjects that i dont essentially need, and then i graduate in november 2010 back in Australia. It has always been something i have wanted to do, to join a brotherhood, but this year i was unable to as it is my major research project, and back in my early years i was unaware that we could do exchange, i thought we had to be seniors... Sorry for my rambling lol,

So what i guess i am asking is that do you think it would be worth it for me to rush? but possibly not become an initiate?

Thanks EW

To be honest I'm not sure you would have success. I have heard of international students that are around for an entire year being given bids, but if you're only there for a semester it's not really in the interest of any fraternity you are trying to join to take you, since you would be gone before you could contribute anything as an active.

One of my pledge brothers is from China, but he'll be here for all four years. It can't hurt at all to try rushing, but don't be surprised if it doesn't work out.

It is definitely worth a try, but be up front with the Fraternity about your situation and your expectations. It isn't fair to them for you to mislead them.

However, I think its great to experience this side of American culture. My sister, who is an Aussie native, just left last semester to go back home. She was an exchange student for a year, and we loved having her. Fair warning though, she did say she had a hard time accommodating to the culture of greek life.

Good Luck!

I knew a guy who would only be a member for a semester (he was there for the whole year, but we have deferred rush), and he became a "social member" of one of the fraternities. I'm not EXACTLY sure what that means, but I think basically, he didn't really have to do pledgeship, but but he was also not allowed to do membership (basically, I think he was pledged but never initiated -- and was never intended to do be initiated. More like an honorary member than a full one?). I don't know if that's something that's common, but it might be something for an exchange student to look into?

What fraternity? Because we have something similar to that. Essentially it means that the person is allowed to take part in all the social activities of the fraternity.

I'm getting on a soapbox for a second here, but these "social member"/"social brother" programs are a bad idea. Essentially these people reap the benefits of fraternity membership without taking any of the responsibilities and work that goes along with it. Furthermore, these members may contribute to some sort of party fund but are not dues paying members which hurts your chapter and deceives your national organization. Ultimately, why would you choose to be a full member if you could stay for the parties but have no obligations?

While you have a point, that is not necessary the case. For Psi Upsilon it is only really allowed if the person is needed to fill room in the house or something of the like. And IIRC they have to pay the same dues as initiated members.

Not to mention issues with risk management and insurance.

Not attacking you or anything, but I don't think that is the type of program angels&angels is referring to. The program I think she is talking about is a more sub rosa chapter level operation that the Inter/national organization would not condone.

ETA: Good point VandalSquirrel

Sorry, I know that's something a few of the fraternities at my alma mater do. I've never had a very clear idea what it was except that sometimes you'd hear someone say "Oh, I'm a member of XYZ," and someone else (usually not an XYZ brother) would go, "Yeah, social member," really snidely.

The cases I heard about it were almost always with the intention of initiating the guy later, or special circumstances. For instance, a lot of times it would be someone who had missed rush for some reason (usually money or grades related), but was planning to pledge XYZ whenever that was worked out. So he'd be a "social member" for a semester, and get to go to the mixers (not open to non-members before 10), but couldn't make any real impact in the group. Usually, these guys would either actually pledge/initiate in the next year, or else drop out of the university all together. So it was sort of seen as a temporary measure rather than a "we'll let you come to our parties for all four years but never charge you for it."

For the guy who was an exchange student, he was really cool and well-liked by everyone, but really didn't have a lot of money. For him, again it was temporary, and was a bit like being an honorary member. Everyone knew he wasn't REALLY and XYZ but the guys wanted him around.

Or at least that's the way I always saw it. I hesitate to name which orgs did this (four that I know of) as I'm not entirely sure it's above board. I'm interested to see what the guys here think of it all. My sorority, and all others I know really have nothing like this (Early Alum, which is the only thing with even a small resemblance, is in fact the exact opposite -- you've been initiated, but you no longer participate in undergrad activities).