Sisters Abroad: Italy

"This summer I studied abroad in Rome for 5 weeks and it was the most incredible experience of my life. I lived in the town that's known as Rome's best kept secret, Trastevere. It was beautiful and there was never a dull moment in Trastevere. While in Rome, I saw all the well known sights including the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the Colosseum. I was amazed at the extensive architecture and all the history behind these world famous buildings, museums, and monuments. Living in this city for five weeks allowed me to experience it as if I were a local. I discovered my favorite spot to get paninis at lunch time, my favorite place to shop, and of course my favorite gelato!

During the weekends, I traveled all around Italy as well as to Barcelona. I went to Cinque Terre (which means "The Five Lands" in Italian), Sorrento, the island of Capri, Positano, Pompei, and Florence. Italy has so many beautiful sights and amazing culture, as well as unbelievably delicious food! Barcelona was awesome as well, and it gave me a little escape from Italians. I loved the Spanish culture just as much as Italian. Studying abroad was definitely a life changing experience and I wish I could have stayed longer than 5 weeks. I definitely recommend study abroad to all of those who have the opportunity to do so. :)"

-Lisa Alexander,
 Class of 2014

 Trevi Fountain in Rome

 Highest point on the island of Capri

Top of the Duomo in Florence

Alpha Phi Convention 2012

          

"I arrived in Phoenix, Arizona for The Alpha Phi International Convention to 115 degree weather, 400 Alpha Phi sisters from all over the country and not much idea as to what I was about to embark upon. I soon found out just how empowering of an experience I was going to have, and it started with entering the hotel. Even though I didn't know anyone I saw, everyone was friendly and smiling, knowing we were all Alpha Phis. I was sharing a room with the delegate from UCLA named Ashley and she and I immediately hit it off. After settling in I met up with a couple other Presidents that I knew from Regional Conference and threw myself into the comfort and unique bond that is shared between girls who have been elected as the president of their sororities. While all of our Chapters are different, we are bound together by the same foundation of our ritual; and there is an innate sense of friendship shared between all of us simply because of our shared membership. The next five days flew by in a whirlwind of meetings, shared meals and informational sessions- all of which made me more and more excited to get back to my own chapter and implement the changes and strategies that we were taught. 

One day we had the awards ceremony where the Collegiate Chapters were recognized for the work they put in every semester. Our chapter was honored with the award for "Best Recruitment Video" and a runner up for the award in "Best Service". I was extremely proud to be representing the Zeta Beta Chapter and all that we had accomplished in the past two years. My favorite night was the Red Dress Gala Dinner in which we gained many ideas for our own Red Dress Gala, we were entertained by the phi-nominal performances by Alpha Phi sisters and raised money for the Alpha Phi Foundation. The second night after dinner an initiation ceremony was held where members could initiate alumnae women who were not Greek in college but possessed the unique qualities of an Alpha Phi. One of our advisors initiated her mother and it was an incredible experience to witness, with so many other women bonded together through our shared sisterhood. On our last night, more awards were give out and our Advisors were honored with the award for the most outstanding Advisory Board, and award which they so vehemently deserved. We have been blessed with 5 amazing advisors who always have our best interests at heart and have helped the Zeta Beta Chapter be the best that we can be. By the end of my 5 days at Convention I left with a renewed sense of leadership and a fervent desire to continue to strengthen and shape our chapter in my next three months as President as well as during my last semester in College. I forged bonds with other Presidents and collegiate delegates and was able to enjoy the company, advice and insight of so many other girls who all shared a common goal, passion and bond through Alpha Phi." 

-Megan MacDonell

 Chapter President

Myself with our chapter banner showing the year we were founded at LMU

Alpha Phi Sisters from the Southwest Region

Check out the video recap of the Alpha Phi Convention 2012

PHI-nominal Phi: Leilani Mahoney

"The Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) is a five day intensive opportunity for freshman and sophomore Alpha Phi women to better define their voice, identify their leadership skills and abilities. My experience at the Emerging Leadership Institute (ELI) was an amazing not only as a member of Alpha Phi, but it also shaped me as a person.  It was definitely an adventure going to Indianapolis for five days without knowing anyone else. Comforting was the fact that I was going to be meeting new sisters from across the country. I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly everyone clicked with one another, and how I could see the Alpha Phi qualities in each girl I met. The leadership conference was all expenses paid by the Alpha Phi Foundation, providing myself and other women of Alpha Phi the chance to develop a better connection the sorority and how to truly become a leader. I stayed at the Alpha Phi house at Butler University which was also very exciting for me since we do not have sorority houses at Loyola Marymount.

The five days included several activities that kept all the girls busy and helped us form friendships that will last a lifetime. In our down time, the girls chatted about their different events, traded their favorite Alpha Phi shirts, and already started planning visits to see one another. My favorite activity was the zip-lining and ropes course where I learned about risk taking, trust, and the power one has to take initiative. While learning about Alpha Phi in terms of the sacred values and importance of ritual, I also began to realize my place in the sorority goes beyond just being a member. It definitely deepened my love for Alpha Phi and has motivated me to become even more involved to make a difference for the Zeta Beta chapter.

I have nothing but pure appreciation for the Alpha Phi Foundation for offering this opportunity to our chapter and highly recommend that more of my sisters should attend ELI in the future. It was an enriching and life changing experience that had a positive impact on my views towards Alpha Phi and my capabilities as a person and leader!"

Alpha Phi Love & Mine,
Leilani Mahoney
Class of 2015

Welcome To Our New Blog!

Welcome to our new blog!

Here you will be able to keep up-to-date with the newest endeavors and happenings of the Loyola Marymount University chapter of Alpha Phi.

Visit our blog often to read regular updates.