Growing up in a predominantly white community, I often struggled to find my sense of belonging. I wanted to be part of spaces where my identity and culture were understood and celebrated, but those opportunities were rare. When I entered college, I hoped to connect with people who truly understood me and build meaningful, close-knit relationships. At my smaller university, that was not easy, and I started to feel the same sense of isolation I experienced in high school. So, I looked for ways to find a community, which led me to sorority life.
I will be honest, when I went through recruitment, I didn’t really think it would work out. In Arab culture, joining a sorority is often seen as unusual or even frowned upon. It is not something that is talked about or encouraged, and I was afraid of standing out in a way that might make me seem disconnected from my roots. I worried that I would be the only one like me, both culturally and personally, in the room. But then I was paired with a sorority member who was also Arab. That single conversation changed everything for me. We talked about our shared background, family traditions and what it meant to navigate college life while honoring where we came from. For the first time in a long time, I felt seen and understood in a space I did not think was made for me. It made me want to complete recruitment, and accepting my bid from Alpha Sigma Alpha turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made.
In high school, I worked hard to make my voice heard. I collaborated with my school district’s board to rewrite a dress code that promoted equality for everyone. I was elected Vice President of my school, which allowed me to connect with students, listen to their concerns and create change. These values of advocacy, inclusion and leadership are still at my core today.
Since joining my sorority, I have been able to live out those values in new ways. I have served on committees, participated in service projects and represented my chapter at campus events. I have grown as a leader, learned to have hard but meaningful conversations, and developed friendships that feel like family. My sisters have supported me through challenges, celebrated my successes and encouraged me to push beyond my comfort zone. I have found a space where my background is celebrated, my ideas are valued and my growth is encouraged. Now that I am in college, I hold the same values and morals as I once did in high school and want to continue to make sure I never look down on anybody; instead, I help them up.
