Many people believe that there are two types of people in the college world: the ones who are very much into the college party scene, and the ones who are totally opposed to it. Most of the party scene at universities revolves around the fraternities. Everyone always hears about those crazy frat guys who throw the utmost craziest parties at their houses, and it always seems as if at least one of your friends is always there when the weekend comes around. I was always one to identify as a type of person who was always against those kinds of parties and the stigma revolving around them. I vowed that I would never join a sorority, or befriend the stereotypical frat bros that people constantly talk about. I made sure everyone that I knew, knew I didn't like huge frat parties and would never want to ever be a part of one, let alone invited to one. I was personally 100% against everything about Greek life - it just was not for me.
However, my viewpoint began to shift only a few days after college had begun. Most colleges have those fairs you can go to in order to find out about all the different clubs featured on campus. Many freshmen flocked to the area where the Greek life was being featured, while my friends and I chose to stay far away from there. It was one of those encounters where just by looking at the girls and guys there, you could easily tell that they were your stereotypical "sorority sisters" and "frat bros." I didn't want to be a part of that at all, and neither did my friends.
However, while browsing the other clubs, we noticed a small group of people laughing and talking to other college freshmen about their specific club or group. There were Greek letters plastered near the top of their poster, and I was curious as to why they weren't with the rest of the other Greek houses. I was also curious why the people there sporting the Greek house were a mix of both girls, and guys.
It turns out that they were what was called a "professional fraternity" - a Greek house that was more here for promoting interest in a particular profession. There were professional fraternities for business, chemistry, and almost any other thing that any person could possibly be interested in. And although I promised myself that I would never rush a sorority during my college years, I decided to take a jump and rush a professional fraternity.
The professional fraternities are much different than the stereotypical social sororities and fraternities. First of all, they are co-ed, and are more for promoting attentiveness towards a particular subject. Many of my friends are now a part of professional fraternities, and we can all agree that not only have we made strong connections with a bunch of people who share the same interests as us, but they have helped us with things like schoolwork and advice for jobs and internships. It is a family bond that no one will truly forget about. Even after graduation, you are still a part of one big professional family.
I am so happy that college was able to morph my views the slightest bit and allow me to experience things that I promised myself I never would. I have made an incredible family in the process, and have learned more about myself than I ever thought I would.
