Page 4 - Phi Kappa Tau - Cornell - Fall 2018

ALUMNUS FINDS CONNECTION IN JAPAN

By Jake Potashnick ’12 drinking their sake on his last trip to Japan. be a Phi Tau while living abroad. I’ve been
Since departing the A quiet Japanese man looked inquisitively lucky enough to have brothers visit me in
hallowed halls of The at me as I entered, confused by the pres- France and Berlin. And with each move
Knoll after graduating ence of a foreigner. But this was Japan after I’ve made, there has been incredible sup-
in 2015, I have followed all, where there is the ultimate culture of port from brothers back in the States. But
my passion and taken politeness, so he showed me where I could there was something particularly special
the opportunity to live in sit down to taste their brews. about this moment in Japan, about how
Sweden, France, Japan, As I sampled the selection. another something as simple as an old fraternity
and Germany working traveler pulled up a stool next to me. We association could lead to a connection with
as a fine dining chef. were the only two people in the brewery, someone who had so shortly before been
While those have been and he was the first non-Japanese person I a complete stranger. He and I ended up
formidable experiences, had seen that day. spending the day together: wandering the
when asked to write this After a bit of small talk, it somehow town, drinking sake, and discussing our
article reflecting on my time abroad, I am came up that we had both been in a travels.
instead compelled to share a story from a fraternity. Sometimes I worry that I might be tak-
trip I took during my time in Japan. “Which one?” he asked. ing the expression of “going far” a little too
While backpacking through Hiroshima, “Phi Kappa Tau,” I responded. literally, but it is in moments like these—
I heard about a local town that was well “No way,” he said, laughing—he was meeting a stranger while sitting in that sake
renowned for its sake production—I should a Phi Tau at Florida. There we were in the brewery in Japan—that I am reminded that
note that I was traveling in February, when middle of nowhere Japan, the only two this phrase is what we are meant to do as
Japan is not exactly a hotspot for tourists, travelers around, and we suddenly found brothers of Phi Tau. We are meant to go far,
and I often found myself alone in hostels or ourselves with an afternoon’s worth of sto- to give our best, and to represent ourselves
on the road. Once in the town, I followed a ries to share. We talked about our chapters the best we can wherever we may be in the
small map I had been given to the local sake and traditions, about big brother night world. That’s what I’m trying to do, and I
brewer. I arrived to find a small, dusty, and and sorority relations, and I walked him hope you are too. And if any of you end up
deserted tasting room, finding the brewery through the beauty of IBWN. in Berlin, let me know, you always have a
plastered with pictures of President Obama There are many times I’ve felt proud to couch to crash on.

FALL RUSH turnout for recruitment events this fall, with and fun environment for all involved.
over 30 potential new members having the
Phi Kappa Tau will continue its history
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE) opportunity to talk to brothers within our of recruiting outstanding men through the
relaxed than the spring, recruits were still able chapter, take house tours, and ask questions brothers’ numerous on-campus activities
to enjoy themselves at our Labor Day cookout. about the values of the Alpha Tau Chapter. At and continued emphasis on meeting young
Additionally, recruits were invited to two open the end of the process, we extended 10 bids. Cornellians. The energy and personality of our
houses, where they got to enjoy food from our With the increase in restrictions on unique brotherhood will help us through any
chef, Matt Lea ’18, and learn more about the Greek life on Cornell’s campus, the Alpha Tau new restrictions placed on our recruitment of
Alpha Tau Chapter. Chapter has done an incredible job of adhering new members, and each of us looks forward
Our brotherhood experienced a great to the rules and mitigating risks throughout to many more successful years and plenty of
the entire recruitment process to ensure a safe memories here at 106 The Knoll.

SEMESTER IN hosts and their infant kids—all by using our Europe who would lend me some shelter for a
much-improved Spanish. We also got a quick weekend. Even people who I might not be the
SPAIN visit from another Phi Tau, David Flores ’17, closest friends with were letting me crash on
who was studying south of us in Seville. I was their floors or showing me their favorite sites
(CONTINUED FROM PAGE TWO) able to make my way to London and stayed in their respective cities. It was definitely a great
of Spain resigned. It was a fascinating time to a few nights with another Phi Tau, Brendan way to canvas around Europe.
be there. Elliott ’16, on top of meeting up with several Before I went abroad, I had never been
Charles and I were lucky enough to take other Cornellians studying abroad in various outside of the Americas. I was nervous to leave
trips together with our program to Seville, other cities. Phi Tau, the Cornell Daily Sun, and Ithaca, a
Zaragoza, Girona, and a few other cities What this made me realize was just how place where I feel truly comfortable. Now that I
around the country. On our own, we took a extensive the Phi Tau and Cornell network can have gone abroad, I’m glad I did.
trip to Madrid and befriended our AirBnB be. All of a sudden I had friends in cities across

ALPHA TAU CHAPTER OF PHI KAPPA TAU AT CORNELL ✩ ALUMNIRECORDS@CORNELLPKT.ORG ✩ FALL 2018
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