Greek Clubs

[Tasdik]

I don't understand them. Is there any real reason to join them?

[[SD]Twysta]

edit: I think I had the wrong idea about this thread

So what's a Greek Club exactly?

[SM-Count]

They have archives of old exams, you meet a lot of people so it's free networking, among other reasons.

[EvGa]

Dem der fraternities/sororities?

MAJOR networking, epic social events, networking again.

Tis not free here SM.

[takolin]

I joined the Belgian equivalent of one and I still don't regret it.

[Tasdik]

Eh, perhaps I'll look into it then.

/inb4drunktogapartypicsarepostedonsrf

[EvGa]

Be ready to endure the stereotypical jock douchebags if you do join one... there will be many.

[Tasdik]

Which is why I haven't joined one yet. And honestly, probably won't.

The idea of it all seems rather pointless.

[EvGa]

I think the pro's can outweigh the cons if you are able to block out the douches. You'll make tons of friends, have amazing networking which will be priceless when you graduate and start job hunting, amazing social events (more friends,girls,etc), and sorority girls will be on yo dik. Yo.

I'm not in a fraternity btw, but have been to dem der epic frat/sorority parties. O lawd.

[Skyve]

I always thought it was a movie thing. Kind of like the whole "Football Captain gets all the ladies" thing which is not the case here at least. Maybe it's an American thing.

[Tasdik]

Does that mean American's = Captains of the world? I'm thinking yes.

[Skyve]

Justin Bieber is Canadian so no .

[Tasdik]

*hands Ex a flame shield*

[takolin]

I always thought it was a movie thing. Kind of like the whole "Football Captain gets all the ladies" thing which is not the case here at least. Maybe it's an American thing.

They're bound to exist in some form or another in most countries.

[Doron]

They're just the sororities, right?

It's mostly networking, but then again, making a fool out of yourself before you can join is a pain in the ass. Worth it, but rediculous.

Most sorority people have influential parents and connections, so yeah it could be handy. Just pick one for the best opportunities for you.

[EvGa]

^^ Yes, for females...

[[TS]=Hark=[TS]]

I joined a Fraternity my second semester as a freshman and it was the best thing I have ever done. I have made friends that even though I have only known them for 2 years I can say they will be my friends for ever. I still talk to the guys that graduated and see them when I go home from school. We have events were our alumni come back and we get to talk to them and stories are always nice. Besides all of the party aspects which is very stereotypical we do a lot of community service for the city and for our university, one of the more involved Fraternities on our campus. Being in one just opens up your options so much more if you need someone to help you with school or your car breaking down I always know who to call. A lot of my brothers have gotten jobs and internships through our alumni or through the national fraternity.

Being in a Fraternity can be a great deal of help or a great hindrance to your college career. It is all up to how you make it. I know some people that cannot balance the social life with the college life and have had to drop out of school, but that can happen even if you go alone. For me the major factor was having people to talk to and a place to go that wasn't my dorm room when I was a freshman. I knew no one coming into college and I did not really like my roommate so joining a Fraternity has been great for me.

Really though this is just my opinion and if you go into it with a negative attitude it will never be the thing for you to do. There are always other ways to accomplish the same things that a Fraternity can give you but it was definitely a one-stop shop for me.

If you want to talk to me about it more I can go on and on about the positives and negatives from my point of view. I can only share with you the experiences that I have had with my own Fraternity and they are all different. If you go into it for some place to party and people to buy you booze or as something to boost your resume then don't bother. For us at least, we want someone who will be around, be involved on campus and in our Fraternity, and not someone who is going to not show up ever once they get in. It is a big time commitment and also every Fraternity has dues just the same as any other RSO you can join on a college campus but the money commitment is a big issue for some people I know.

Good luck on your decision though!

[woutR]

Being a fraternity member holds no value (in the Netherlands) if you're just a member. You have to be involved and active within the fraternity to really benefit from it.
When you are involved it is the place where your very best friends in the world will be. My dad still meets up with his fraternity 2-4 times a year. He finished university 30 years ago, go figure how amazing the friendships are you create.
All the people you meet at the fraternity are all studying (in the Netherlands) and thus in the top 10% of the working population. You will have an amazing network of educated and well connected people once you finish your education.
If you combine your membership with maybe a year in the board of your fraternity, or occupy prominent positions within your fraternity you will have an outstanding cv combined with everlasting friends.

Realize that a fraternity is a commitment. Shit will not fall into your lap if you're not gonna work for it. You have to want to be there. Benefits like networking and resume building are bonuses, not reasons to join a fraternity.
I personally chose not to join a fraternity because I am not the party type. You have to choose for yourself if a fraternity fits you.