Greek life one of the many ways to get involved at FIU

Fabienne Fleurantin/ Staff Writer

A reaction of disgust.

That’s the first thing I get when I mention that I’m in a sorority. Some people say that I don’t look it, are completely thrown off by it or just plain confused as to why I would be a part of such a horrible thing.

Well, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.

Before I came to FlU, I was in a pretty bad place. I wasn’t involved in anything. All I did was go to school and go home. I was caught in a community college environment that maintained a high school mentality, and I wanted to break free. I felt like I was in 13th grade and that everyone saw me as who I was and not who I could be.

It’s not until I came to FIU with the intent of getting involved that everything changed for me — and one of those decisions was to join greek life.

At first, I was hesitant because of course, I heard of all the sorority stereotypes. I thought I was on the verge of meeting dumb broads with low IQ’s who loved to drink and party, didn’t care about school and hazed each other in order to be accepted.

But all of these perceptions were a combination of thoughts and movies that I’ve come across. They weren’t truth.

When I met these girls in person, got to talk to them, got to know who they are and what they stood for, that’s when I realized that it really wasn’t that bad. I was extremely out of my comfort zone — going up to random strangers and striking up a conversation with them — but I challenged myself and it was totally worth it.

Ashley Rein, a senior majoring in English and a member of a Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, expressed why she made the decision to go through recruitment.

“I joined because I wanted a strong support system and friends I knew I could rely on and trust. I knew Greek life wasn’t temporary. It was permanent. Within my sisters, I found shared values and at least one person I could call if I needed someone to talk to at 3 a.m.,” Rein said.

Tala Habash, an incoming freshman majoring in international relations, mentioned why being in greek life sparked her interest.

“I love the sense of humility that you get from a sorority. I want to be involved and I want it to have meaning, not just be for nothing,” Habash said.

If it weren’t for my determination to be involved in the FIU community, I wouldn’t have found my home with my sisters and created a bond that will last a lifetime.

As cheesy as it sounds, it’s true. These girls saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and gave me the support and confidence to pursue positions inside and outside of my sorority. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Granted, greek life isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. However, there are so many opportunities that FIU offers freshman to get involved in and this is a great time to take advantage of those chances. Don’t be afraid to explore. You never know what you could enjoy being a part of.

 

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of Panther Press Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.

 

Featured Image by David Longmore/PantherNow