Countless films from Hollywood tell us about student fraternities, fun parties and many other manifestations of the life of young American students. Of course, not all of what is described there is true – some things are grotesquely exaggerated in order to show the viewer a more juicy and vivid picture than in reality.
In our today's material, we will talk about what all this really looks like, what traditions and rituals actually accompany young Americans on their life path in college.
Young Student Course
In any American university there is a course for a young fighter - orientation, and often this is a very extraordinary and fervent event. It allotted a whole week in August, right before the start of lectures. This set of activities includes lunches and dinners, parties, theater and museum evenings interspersed with sightseeing walks around the campus and the surroundings of the university.
This allows beginners to acquire horizontal connections with the help and support of undergraduate students. In addition, introductory classes are held on safety, the structure of the administration of the educational institution, sessions on the design of student works. The neophyte will be shown where what is located, how to use the laundry and where to go if there are psychological difficulties. This allows you to forget about the longing for native places and overcome the cultural barrier.
Of course, locally these traditions manifest themselves in different ways, but there is also something universal.
Traditions and ceremonies
Traditions contribute not only to the establishment of communication, but also to the goal of bringing together graduates from one university. Many American universities have a cult history, traditions are carefully preserved and protected.
- For example, there is a tradition when, the night before the session, a music orchestra passes through all the libraries of the campus, interrupting preparation and cramming. Often under this case, teenagers jump on desks, scream and clap. It looks bad, but it helps to relieve tension and relax, so as not to die right behind the desk over an unsuccessful ticket.
- Music stars, former presidents or current politicians are often invited to the presentation of diplomas.
- At the California Institute of Technology , at seven in the morning, all students are awakened by the "Flight of the Valkyrie", and at any other time the broadcast of this recording is strictly prohibited.
- In universities in Atlanta, the Tech State of Georgia has its own tradition, which was generated by an error when filling out application forms: one guy passed two questionnaires - for himself and a fictional friend. Both did. At the same time, an enterprising entrant began to study for two, attending classes of different teachers and programs. As he became overworked, he came up with the good idea of sharing the story with friends. And they gladly fit into keeping the legend afloat! Over time, fictional student George P became a university legend; he graduated with a dozen diplomas, received prizes and awards for merit, made discoveries. When students fill out the lists of attendees, by tradition, the name of George P. Burdell is invariably included in them. At the same time, his studying has been going on for fifty years, and in Atlanta a bookstore is named after the hero.
Fraternities and sisterhoods
Positions on these institutions vary from university to university. If in the states of the South these societies are widespread and enjoy respect and recognition, conduct a competitive selection with tests and tasks for applicants, then in the north they are considered archaism.
At Columbia University, for example, sister societies are selected at short parties, where applicants are approached by different people who are members of the club. An imitation of communication ensues, during which community leaders distribute candidates.
Different sisterhoods may hide different traditions and customs. Somewhere they prefer to recruit pathetic and arrogant, in others they are happy with nerds and nerds, in the third informals and freaks of different varieties gather. Finally, in the fourth, everyone is welcome – just like in Hogwarts.
When a person becomes a member of a nursing society or fraternity, he takes on various obligations – from monetary contributions to attending various events. From the fraternity can be expelled for violation of discipline or other offenses, most often - ethical.
There are traditional ties between different brotherhoods, built over years of rivalry, neighborhood and cooperation. At the same time, if you have joined a fraternity or sisterhood in your higher educational institution, this automatically gives a pass to all the same communities throughout the United States where the society is represented. This is brilliantly illustrated in the second film, Legally Blondes, where the main character got the help of a member of Congress simply because the girl was from the same Delta Nude society.
Secret societies
According to legend, in Yale there is a mysterious "Skull Society", about which a series was even filmed. There is an opinion that this is an elite club that is engaged in the education of future presidents and congressmen. However, it is impossible to confirm or deny the existence of such societies – they are secret!
In the Ivy League, there are societies of graduates where outsiders cannot get in. For example, there is the Yale Club in New York or the Columbia Club – these even have their own representative office, where countless private events are held for their own.
Thursday is the new Friday
Parties in higher educational institutions can be organized on occasion, but more often this does not require any parcels, just a desire - or the onset of a day off or Friday (most of the local schoolchildren do not study on Fridays, this is a library day, so on Thursday all the most cheeky follies are committed). There are an incredible number of parties, despite the fact that most of the students have not reached the age of majority, which comes to the United States at the age of 21 – just the majority manage to finish the bachelor's degree. But everyone wants fun, so entertainment venues most often allow you to go through fake rights, although they are well aware that this particular visitor has not yet grown up to alcohol.
A separate version of the events is familiar to everyone who dealt with apartment dwellers during the time of stagnation. It's a fit: several people from the same room or block invite guests to themselves, and the more rooms in the dormitory, the more likely they are to hang out. At the same time, in contrast to the situation with fraternities and sister societies, the order here is liberal and open. If you're bored, you can come to the sounds of music and connect to the ugliness. Strangers here are generally treated positively and with understanding - everyone is aware that, along with their friends, friends of friends, neighbors on the floor and just strangers who are interested in drive and new acquaintances will also come.
