Fostering Fun

So I am past the midway point of my exchange in Montréal. I am pretty comfortable with my surroundings and have created some decent relationships. That being said, in the back of my mind, the constant idea of leaving is there. This creates conflict. It feels like nothing really matters because my presence is finite.

One specific context this applies to is the pledging process. The benefits of becoming a brother of a fraternity are mostly about fostering relationships during your studies and also helping out the community here, in Montréal or more widely, North America. I am in my fifth year of studies and returning to Europe after my exchange, so this is a bit unrelatable.

I spoke with those around me to seek advice and ideas. Some have taken the same path as me, joining the fraternity whilst being on exchange. The things that come up are mostly about the network that it provides and the honour of being a brother for life.

Personally, I struggle to have the idea of a network drive me. So I tried to add some personal perspective to it. It is quite an anecdote to be an Estonian who joins a North American fraternity. Reading up on it, I am not the only one – there seem to be at least 200 other Estonians who have joined some type of fraternity here, in Montréal, over the years.

I have no information about them being in Greek-letter societies, so that could bring that number down even further. Representing my country here is already more motivating in my eyes.

That being said, the click came from something else. Last Friday, at a party in the fraternity, one brother that I spoke to asked me a simple question: "Are you having fun?" Even though I had to think about it, the answer is yes. Sometimes it is that simple.

This Week's Suggestions:

🎶 "Diamonds" by QZB featuring Sydney Bryce:

Some deep liquid drum and bass to calm the mind on this Monday morning.

Are You having fun?