Lately I've received a couple of Facebook tags for the popular "25 Things," where I'm asked to reveal 25 random facts about myself. Of course, I also have to then tag another 25 people who will be subjected to the same I-hate-to-cave-into-popular-chain-letters-but-I-can't-possibly-pass-on-this-fantastic-opportunity-to-procrastinate dilemma.
Having finally overcome my initial rejection of all things remotely related to chain letters, and, more importantly, having a midterm coming up soon, I've given in. So here it is: my "25 Things" about being an international, unaffiliated student:
(1) Definition of international: I consider myself truly international. I was born in China, grew up in Sweden and went to an international high school with students from over 80 different countries.
(2) Definition of unaffiliated: I officially registered for rush three times, going through the torturous process in entirety, from first round to preference night, the first time around.
(3) Still, I registered for rush twice more, because I was never completely sure what I wanted.
(4) Most of my girl-friends are affiliated. I have no ill-feelings towards sororities.
(5) Even though I had studied in the U.S. for two years before I came to Dartmouth, I had no clue what a fraternity or sorority was.
(6) I remember seeing "Greek Life" on numerous pre-orientation flyers, and even looked up the words on Wikipedia and was directed to "Culture of Greece."
(7) Needless to say, I came to Dartmouth expecting 60 percent of campus to be covered in Greek sculptures and feta cheese (I'm kind of disappointed that it isn't.)
(8) During freshman year, my understanding of frats somewhat improved: houses with smelly basements, free beer and occasionally fun dance parties. (9) Going through sorority rush sadly made me more judgmental of people.
(10) I still don't know how many frats there are in total on campus.
(11)I lived in an all-girls dorm for two years during high school, and never wanted to deal with that much girl drama again.
(12) Perks of being unaffiliated include no dues! I can use the $300 I save every term to throw notoriously fabulous room parties.
(13) I love the international community and have luckily found a tightly knit group of friends through my involvement in the International Students' Association and International Student Mentor Program. These friends have become a family for me here at Dartmouth.
(14) One downside to being unaffliated is that I hate having to pretend that I'm busy every Wednesday night when my friends leave for meetings.
(15) Sometimes I wonder if I'm missing out, especially whenever semis and formals roll around.
(16)At other times I smugly congratulate myself that I don't have to stress out to find the formal date that either needs to fit into the category of "potential romantic interest" or "presentable friend."
(17) I wish that my sophomore summer was sunnier and warmer to allow for more lazy afternoons down by the river. But not being in a house didn't make it any less wonderful.
(18) In fact, during sophomore summer, I ended up spending a lot of time in houses where my friends are members.
(19) Being unaffiliated taught me to organize my social events: room parties, dance parties, balls at the Hanover Inn where I get to choose the entertainment, the drinks and most importantly, the company.
(20) I have an excuse to suck at pong, even though it's mostly because I lack hand-eye coordination.
(21) I never have to hang out with the people I don't like simply because we are in the same house.
(22) Greek houses here are often grouped on the basis of common belonging and heritage, which could be difficult for international students to find with the rest of campus.
(23) I would advise all international students, especially the women, to take caution before they enter rush. It's not like anything you've been through before, and it can sometimes make you feel pretty "un-pretty" even though you know you are smart, well-cultured and fabulous.
(24) I would at the same time wish to share that you can choose how much or little you want Greek life to be part of your life, whether or not you are affiliated.
(25) I both love and hate Greek life at Dartmouth. I hate that it's such a big part of anyone's Dartmouth experience, and love it precisely for the same reason. After all, it's part of what makes Dartmouth "Dartmouth," a place that I've grown to love.
Anna Qi '10 is a guest columnist.
