So to those of you out there that haven’t read the article entitled, “How I Really Feel About Greek Life as an International Student," you really should. (Link attached at the bottom) The article talks about an Australian International Student who allegedly wasn’t invited into a fraternity tailgate, although in my time on the college campus tailgating scene, I’ve never seen a girl be denied entry to a party. She also touches on the fact that we all apparently look alike and we all wear oversized baggy shirts as dresses. The ironic thing is that throughout her article, she attached pictures of girls mostly in pants and people who look nothing alike, except for the fact that they were all decked out in Michigan State gear, something that not just Greek life students dress in. I could probably go on and on about how I don’t think the article is by any means accurate, but instead of trying to tell this author off with refutations, I might as well just prove her wrong with facts.

Although there is a long-standing stigma that goes along with the Greek community and drinking, it is worth noting that all but three U.S. presidents have been members of fraternities since 1825. Eighty-five percent of Fortune 500 executives were part of Greek life. College graduation rates are higher among Greek life students compared to non-Greek life students. The first female astronaut was Greek, and she also went on to be the first female senator. So to those who stigmatize Greek life to drinking, maybe we should turn that stigma into success.

I believe that as a Greek life community, there are higher pressures to succeed in order to stay in standing with not only the house that you affiliate yourself with, but also the Panhellenic council that watches over each chapter as well. Greek life also allows individuals to extend their connections with people through alumni events within their chapters, which can lead to greater future success in the working industry. Not to mention that having a position in a Greek-lettered chapter can do wonders for a resume.

It is worth noting that I’m actually not from this country either. I’m not considered an international student because I moved from Canada a while ago. However, being from Australia is like being from a warmer version of Canada. It’s kind of the same thing. In the Greek house I’m affiliated with, one of my sisters is an international student from Brazil, a country where the culture, people and language are completely different. She claims that Greek life is how she made all her friends and truly found her place here at college. That’s the glory of Greek life; we don’t pay for friends. We pay fees so we can live in a nice house, pay for activities, pay for a house mom, heating, electricity, Wi-Fi… you know, typical things that you have to pay for if you live anywhere on a college campus or if you’re involved in any club.

Although, what you get with Greek life that you might not get with every club is a brotherhood or sisterhood. Sure, call it crap, but you don’t know what it is until you have it. Everyone has that friend they call crying with their problems or the person you text when something funny happens because only that person could possibly understand. We’re meeting the people with whom we’ll most likely be friends for the rest of our lives. But just because I met my friends like that in Greek life, it does not mean those relationships are fake. My best friends are truly my best friends. They stayed up with me all night when the guy I was talking to ended things. They bring me food to my dorm room when I’m sick. We study together all night, because who wants to pull an all-nighter by themselves? The friends I’ve made in Greek life are genuine and true friends, and I don’t think that because I met them in Greek life that this changes any aspect of our friendship.

Greek life may not be for everyone, and I completely understand that. No one’s pressuring anyone to join anything he or she doesn’t want to. But what’s hard to understand is why anyone would bash something that they have little to no insight on. You aren’t going to hear me telling everyone why I think cheerleading is stupid. I’m sure the men and women on the squad work very hard, and they put in a lot of hours, and there’s a huge commitment to it that I simply don’t understand, so why would I put it down? If you aren’t involved in Greek life, and you think that our community is so terrible, then why are you coming to our events? It’s so sad that someone can attempt to judge an entire community of people based on one negative experience.

At the end of the day, Greek community is not perfect. We clearly have our flaws, as there are deaths from Greek life, and there can be negative repercussions if you don’t prioritize Greek life before school. However, there are so many positives to the Greek community, as stated above, that should take away the negative connotations of Greek life. Our philanthropy is more important than our parties, and if you don’t believe it because you aren’t a part of it… well then don’t judge it.

Link to Article: http://thetab.com/us/michigan-state/2016/04/04/gre...