Fatema Fakhreddine (Lebanon)

"Moving to UCLA as a transfer student from UCR was difficult for so many reasons. I was entering a new university with higher expectations, making friends all over again, and adjusting to a city where so many dream of living. I came to LA to dive deeper into my Italian studies and do some soul searching. I never expected to find a family away from home. Honestly, if you would have told me that I would be part of a sorority a year ago I would have most definitely laughed in your face. Now look at me, a Founding Mother of the first and only Arab sorority in the nation. I grew up in a traditional Lebanese-Muslim family and I have always found it challenging to create a balance between my Lebanese and American culture but spending so much time with intelligent, outspoken, and warm-hearted girls who have to face similar challenges played a HUGE factor in finally finding that balance. I have never felt more proud of being Lebanese than I am now and I have them to thank for that.Oddly enough, there are only two other girls in my sorority that are Lebanese so I will leave it up to you to wonder why I feel the way I do about these ladies. Although we had to deal with negative criticism along the way we have had an overwhelmingly large amount of people supportive and proud of our endeavors. We worked hard and at times did not even give ourselves the credit but as time flew by we became better at forming a true sisterhood. When I introduce the girls of EAS to my friends I say this is my sister. When I need help I go to my sisters. I trust my sisters, I look up to them, and I support them. We are Muslim, Christian, tall, short, Lebanese, Palestinian, Iraqi, Afghan, loud, quiet, mellow (me), passionate, crazy, sassy, ambitious, and just really Arab. We have fun, argue, and laugh uncontrollably all at the same time. EAS is truly my proudest accomplishment at UCLA so far. I have no idea of what I want to be when I grow up but the work I have accomplished through EAS has taught me that my place in this world is to help others. Soon I will be heading off to study abroad in Italy for a year and my heart is experiencing so many emotions. Mainly, sadness because I will not be here to contribute to the growth of EAS. I have so many aspirations for this sorority and I am so confident in my sisters to fulfill these aspirations while I am away. I am TOTALLY going to REP EAS in Italy. I love you girls and I am very proud of you all. Kick ass next year. I cannot believe that I went all my life without sisters and now all of a sudden I have sixteen." <3