Question about joining frat as an international student

[DubaiSis]

Choose your school first and let existence of fraternities be one piece of that selection process. I wouldn't pick the Greek system first and then try to wedge yourself in there.

As you know, the US is a VERY big place and culturally is probably like 4 or 5 completely different countries. So what type of experience are you after? Big city, urban, high rise kind of living, small town Midwestern very enclosed college town? Big formal southern school with age old traditions? A west coast vibe of beaches and surfing? You could have a fraternity experience at any of these, but your "American" experience would be vastly different.

Having lived in a completely different culture for a few years, I'm all for everyone doing this at least once in his life. But the US can swallow you whole if you're not ready or make choices contrary to your personality.

[questionz1]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Choose your school first and let existence of fraternities be one piece of that selection process. I wouldn't pick the Greek system first and then try to wedge yourself in there.

As you know, the US is a VERY big place and culturally is probably like 4 or 5 completely different countries. So what type of experience are you after? Big city, urban, high rise kind of living, small town Midwestern very enclosed college town? Big formal southern school with age old traditions? A west coast vibe of beaches and surfing? You could have a fraternity experience at any of these, but your "American" experience would be vastly different.

Having lived in a completely different culture for a few years, I'm all for everyone doing this at least once in his life. But the US can swallow you whole if you're not ready or make choices contrary to your personality.

Good questions, I've been looking at Florida and California (though increasingly Oklahoma), someplace warm and laid back in a moderately large city. I don't want anything academically too rigorous (I've had enough of that), and ideally someplace not too expensive (though I know I'm going to be paying a lot regardless)

On a kind of unrelated topic, I heard the word "social affiliate" used, kind of like a more informal joining. Is that an option that most frats offer?