Questions from an International Student

[Stelaa]

Hey everyone! I made this account just so I can ask this question, because to be honest, I don't know who else can help me! I currently live in Dubai with my parents and sisters but I am from Bulgaria. I'm in the second semester of my junior year in a Private IB school here.

I have wanted to study in the US since forever. A few years ago, I discovered sororities and Greek life. I wasn't sure whether it was something I would like to get into, but as the time approaches to choose colleges, I decided to look into it. I think I would genuinely be interested in joining one, (if they would have me, of course :P), but I understand it is a complicated and costly process in the long run, and it involves mutual selection.

I'm totally sold on the idea, but I haven't even mentioned it to my parents. Neither of my parents have been to American universities, and they basically told me to choose the schools I want to go to, because they trust me. Which means they know absolutely 0 about American Universities and American culture. Neither of us have even been to the US!

I can already see my dad saying something along the lines of 'My parents didn't pay my friends to be friends with me!' or 'Why can't you just find friends yourself? Why do I have to pay for that as well? Do you realize you have two more sisters I have to put through school?'

And so on. So, my first question is How do I explain to a person who has no clue what sororities are, why it will be beneficial for me to join one?

Also, as I am an international student, I know virtually no one who has ever been in a sorority. I understand that you need recommendations, but as I know nobody, I have no idea where to even begin asking for those. I realize, I won't be needing all this until next year when I've already figured out where I'm going, but I do like to plan ahead. Some of the schools I plan on applying to were listed as schools where you absolutely need recommendations. How do I go about obtaining those when I don't know anybody who can help me?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for replying.