If you’re anything like me, the thought of joining a Panhellenic sorority both intrigued and terrified you. On one hand, you desired the lifelong friendships a sorority can could offer, but on the other hand, you didn’t know how you’ll fit into such a large sorority. On top of that, I wanted to join a club/organization where I would be surrounded by people who understood what it was like to be an Asian attending a predominately white institution (PWI). That’s when I discovered multicultural Greek organizations that are a part of a separate council called the United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC) on my campus, or more commonly called Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) on most other campuses.

I joined one of the Asian-interest sororities on campus and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You might be asking: what are the benefits of multicultural Greek organizations? Here are three main benefits I’ve discovered:

1. A smaller, tight knit community

Multicultural Greek organizations are typically smaller in size than Panhellenic sororities. Because of this, it’ll be easier to get to know everyone in the organization on a deeper, more personal level. Additionally, sororities and fraternities within the Multicultural Greek Council often collaborate with each other for events, leading to great opportunities to get to know their organization and network with them.

2. Connect with Cultures

You could’ve probably guessed this one, but being a part of a multicultural Greek organization exposes you to cultures that you might not have otherwise crossed paths with. On my campus we have Latino-/Latina-interest fraternities and sororities, Asian-interest sororities, and a newly reestablished Divine Nine sorority in the council (that is, until more Divine Nine organizations become established, then they will be a separate council). And mentioned before, since organizations within the council work together, it opens opportunities for cultural exchange and allows for a stronger sense of belonging.

3. More leadership opportunities

Last but not least, in multicultural Greek organizations, there are more opportunities to pick up leadership positions in the organization because they are typically smaller in size. In my sorority, every member is encouraged to take on at least one position the term after joining and everyone has. These positions range from small-scale event planning positions, like organizing alumni coffee chats, to big positions on Executive Board. No matter how big the position, you’ll be able to develop important soft skills that you might not have a chance to develop in other places.

Although these organizations put an emphasis on their culture, they are not culture exclusive, meaning that as long as you are respectful of and willing to learn from their culture, you can potentially join. If you find yourself in a similar situation as me, consider joining a multicultural Greek organization. Who knows, maybe it’ll be one of the most fulfilling experiences at college, like it has been for me. Whether or not you choose to join a multicultural Greek organization, remember that you belong and you are allowed to take up space on your campus.

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