<p>Okay I have heard terms such as "fraternities", "sororities", "Greek life", "Theta-nu" that seem to play a huge part in the student college community. I have no clue what these things are - because I am an international. Can someone explain? </p>
<p>Once, I watched a film and two guys were repeating "I am a loser" in front of one of their roommates. And they were in some alpha-delta-nu dorm. I dunno. See, it's confusing.</p>
<p>This is from the perspective of another international, non-Greek person, many biases apply!
Fraternities and Sororities make up the Greek system, and they are all named with a combination of Greek letters (hence Alpha Delta Nu) and so on.
Generally they are male or female only, although you do get some co-ed business or service fraternities.
For the most part they are social groups, and members often live together in a fraternity or sorority house.
There are generally a lot of negative stereotypes associated with the Greek system - usually that frat guys are dumb, boorish jocks and sorority girls are vapid, *****y sluts. No comment as to the truth of these allegations, except that you can't tar everyone with the same brush!
As social organisations, Greek houses are often the places where people go to party, and on a lot of campuses they throw most of the parties. You don't have to be Greek to go to a Greek party, and not all parties are Greek.
As an outsider, it can seem like partying and getting laid are the main aims of Greek life, but Greek organisations are also supposed to build brotherly and sisterly ties between members and do philanthropic or service work.</p>
<p>Hope that's enough of a bare bones sketch, and hopefully some Americans/Greeks will add their $0.02</p>
<p>how did "crap" show up?</p>
<p>oh, i see</p>
<p>In some colleges it rules (USC) and others it doesn't even show up (NYU? correct me if Im wrong) and in others it's cool but there are other things (U of I, many others are like this). I think it can be cool if you get a house you like but sometimes it's really dumb. Don't worry, at U of I there are so many sororities (38) and fraternities (54) you can't know all of the names. Seriously you won't be the only one confused b/c American high schoolers know about it from mainly siblings and stereotypes in movies. So if you want to be more social and gain a lot of friends and become close to people it can be a great opportunity to do so. And if you are a partier they can be of great assistance. Even if they aren't partying they know who is.</p>
<p>But then others are like, "Well they buy friends." and the other stereotypes listed above. Many are able to fit a stereotype (see here for that <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/etcerica/83317.html#cutid1%5B/url%5D">http://www.livejournal.com/users/etcerica/83317.html#cutid1</a> there should be one for guys soon.) but not all are like it. That's how stereotypes are. So it had it's pros and cons.</p>
<p>what did I write that got censored? my brain is backfiring but it can't have been worse than sluts...</p>
<p>that word that starts with b and ends with that thing you scratch...</p>
<p>hey, yeah, you're right! I still don't see what makes female dogs worse than sluts though?</p>