International students find culture shock in USU's no-alcohol campus

By Ross Davis

February 27, 2008 | If you ask any student from the United Kingdom and Europe what is the most important thing on campus, the majority of them will reply, "The student union bar." The difference in the U.S.A. is that most campuses are dry, meaning there are consequences for drinking on campus.

Utah State University allows no alcohol on campus, and there is even a ban on alcohol beverage logos on T-shirts, bags, etc. Even if you are 21, alcohol is still not allowed. This is somehow ironic because you are an adult yet you are not permitted the opportunity to express your adulthood by rules. I see going to college as the start of your adult life and certainly this is how it is seen in the United Kingdom.

The absence of the student union bar is sometimes a shock to some international students.

USU Japanese exchange student Namihiko Tsuneki said, "It's definitely a culture shock, drinking in dorms and in the college bar happens all the time and is how you make good friends."

There are more than 700 international students at Utah State University, many of these students come from countries where the drinking age is lower than 21 meaning they come here and they are suddenly not allowed to drink. This along with the vast difference in culture found here in Logan means college is a very different experience at USU than it is in mainland Europe and other countries, especially when you consider the usage of alcohol.

In Europe college is associated with having fun, meeting new people and yes of course getting a degree, in that order. For freshers the first week of college is full of university sponsored events at student union bars, which lead to alcohol fueled fun, where you meet new people and make friends with the people who will last you the rest of your college life and longer. University cities are full of bars and clubs catered to the young student; this makes the city come alive at night. There are two bars in Logan and they are not exactly student friendly.

When you are from the U.K. and you come to Logan you realize the difference, social aspects of college represent a different culture, where in Europe the university wants you to study hard and get a degree but it openly allows the opportunity for students to enjoy themselves, whereas the emphasis at USU is on academics and studying, but is this a bad thing? No, it is a shock and the importance many USU students place on their degrees is refreshing to see and I respect that.

There are of course opportunities to drink and have fun while at USU but these opportunities, I have found, are far greater at European college institutions partly due to the dominant religion being that of the Latter Day Saints, which allows no intake of alcohol and accounts for a large part of the community in Logan. My advice to American students at USU, who are open minded and willing to try new things, is to take the opportunity to study abroad in Europe see for yourself what I am talking about, take this chance to experience a completely different culture, go see the more fun side of college.

Lets not forget the dangers of using alcohol when not used responsively, but it is my advice that nobody lives forever so go out enjoy yourself and enjoy life. I believe the restrictions placed on alcohol at USU represent a contradiction on what college is all about but this is the view from an international's perspective.

· Utah State University and Alcohol

· Google discussion group: Alcohol, Minors, College and the Cops

· Have a virtual pint and chat at your student union bar

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