International Students’ Perceptions and Experiences of British Drinking Cultures

Abstract

While the increased scale and importance of international students to the UK Higher Education sector is now well established, little is known about the ways in which students from non-UK countries experience and interact with the heavy drinking culture that predominates on and near many British universities. Drawing on qualitative interviews, this article analyses the perceptions, attitudes and experiences of British drinking cultures held by international students studying on postgraduate courses at a UK university. Students report prior awareness of alcohol consumption being important to British culture and recount both positive and negative experiences of witnessing and, for many, participating in drinking alcohol. Students make ready comparisons with the drinking habits and attitudes of their own culture. Further still, many made a distinction between the public house, or 'pub', as a welcoming and friendly social space and bars and nightclubs where a far greater risk of exposure to violence and harassment was perceived. The article provides theoretical insights to support future and more wide-ranging research into mobile drinking cultures and also suggests practical implications to inform stakeholders with interests in the welfare of international students in the UK in relation to the provision of effective and proactive policies which address the impact of British drinking cultures on international student integration and wellbeing.

‘A melting pot of cultures’ –challenges in social adaptation and interactions amongst international medical students

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‘If they weren’t in the Pub, they Probably wouldn’t Even Know each Other’: Alcohol, Sociability and Pub Based Leisure

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Content, perceptions and impact of alcoholic drink promotions in nightlife venues that are targeted towards students

“…Whilst the research team did try to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds, and all recruitment materials specified that non-drinkers were encouraged to take part, the majority of the students that were recruited were White British. For example, other studies have demonstrated how other groups of students, such as international students ( Thurnell-Read, Brown, & Long, 2018 ) have very different experiences of alcohol consumption and this study is not representative of those that do not fit the mainstream stereotype of students in the UK. Furthermore, the focus groups and paired interviews were carried out with existing peer groups.…”