<p>I've been looking at college in the states (especially Ivies) and if I'm accepted by esteemed institutions might cross the atlantic for my bachelor's degree.</p>
<p>BUT, let me be frank: I'm from scandinavia and youth culture is liberal. I see college as an experience social to the same extent as it is academic, and I see nightlife as a given part of social life.</p>
<p>Thus: will I be able to get into clubs with a tweaked ID or equivalent?</p>
<p>Will the people around me be new to alcohol, and treat it the way I did when I was 15 (i.e. will they see intoxication as inherently enjoyable)?</p>
<p>What will be their emotional maturity? (I know Hollywood never really represented anything right, but if the HS/College movies I've seen are even 10% accurate I think I'll opt for uni in England or something :P)</p>
<p>I'm assuming this post isn't exactly PC by American standards. For those of you who are offended: I am sorry I offended you!</p>
America is not as politically left as scandinavia but socially we are pretty liberal, and a lot more outgoing than you guys.
Many clubs are 18+, but if you get a good fake you can be served/admitted to bars. The nightclub scene is not like europe at all though. Not nearly as central to social life
<ol>
<li><p>If you’re planning on going to an Ivy, I think you’ll be just fine politically speaking. Top universities (generally speaking) on the East Coast not religiously affiliated, generally are very liberal. It’ll also be nice to meet people who aren’t quite as liberal as you just to hear their perspective. IDK. I’m really liberal but I’m excited to meet educated conservatives…</p></li>
<li><p>Yeah we don’t club as much. But you probably can club if you want, if you get a good fake. Are you a guy or a girl?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>3.What do you mean by emotional maturity? Just in reference to alcohol? No, most people are definitely not as vapid as what you’d typically see in the movies. But alcohol is still a “new and exciting” thing for college students. Although it shouldn’t be hard to find people who aren’t looking to go hard every night. I drank in high school. I want to party in college, but I don’t really care to get drunk. Throwing up in a toilet makes you feel like you’re about to die, and I don’t even get why people enjoy that. It just depends on the social scene you get into.</p>
<p>First of all, don’t worry about your questions being politically correct (PC). </p>
<p>Youth culture, particularly college youth culture, is pretty liberal here in the United States. You’ll probably run into the occasional “bible-thumper” every now and then, who’d rather watch paint peel off of a wall than go out with friends for the night, but for the most part, American college students are very open to new experiences. </p>
<p>Regarding alcohol, most college students are not new to it. While the legal drinking age is 21, most college students will have consumed alcohol prior to turning 21. Clubbing is somewhat popular here in the United States, although probably not as popular as it is in Europe. We have 18+ clubs and 21+ clubs. I wouldn’t bother getting a fake ID. It can land you into serious trouble with law enforcement, and even the “best” fake IDs risk a chance of failing. </p>
<p>Most drinking that goes on in college happens in private parties off campus. It can and it does happen in dorms, but if you are caught as a minor (under 21) with alcohol, you can be charged with “minor in possession of alcohol,” which could have you end up paying hefty fines and that will probably land you in court (and in the worst case scenario, a night in jail). If the person who gave you alcohol is in fact 21+, they could be charged with “distributing alcohol to a minor.”</p>
<p>Emotional maturity varies from person to person, like HubertFarnsworth said. You’ll meet students who want to get smashed every night and who are always looking for the next party to attend, and you’ll meet students who’d rather stay in their dorms at night studying for their classes. Most students will be a mix of both types.</p>
<p>Daretorun: ofc I don’t in any way have a problem with those who are more chaste and don’t drink, etc. I just don’t want to have everyone around me look at me like I’m the devil if i suggest we grab a beer ^^. Like you, I look forward to meeting and getting to know all kinds of people! I’m a guy so I’ll def need a fake ID… :P.</p>
<p>Nerdasaurus: so getting busted with a fake is that bad? Here the bouncers just send you off and that’s about it (although technically it is illegal). Alcohol definitely is no dealbreaker in itself but frankly, going from being able to grab a beer even as a 16 year old in continental europe and 18 year old in my country to having to wait til 21 in the states will just feel like I’m beign patronized by the man…</p>
<p>If caught drinking/clubbing when underage, what will be the academic consequences?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure having a fake is at least a misdemeanor, which can bring serious fines ($1,000) and jail time. As far as school, they’ll make you go through alcohol abuse courses. Yes, it’s a big change from Europe, but that’s one thing to get used to.</p>
<p>With regards to sex, some people have sex, some don’t. Most people don’t go around talking about their escapades to everybody; it’s seen as a private affair.</p>
<p>Using a fake is a felony in many states. If you have a student visa they will remove you from the country if convincted of a felony. It’s a serious issue post 9/11.</p>
<p>People might not get caught and convicted all of the time for having a fake, but when being expelled, going to jail, being deported, are all at stake it certainly isn’t worth it. </p>
<p>It’s also a more serious issue if you are not a citizen of the US.</p>
<p>Not to be confused with drinking under age which no one really cares about, unless you’re causing a nuissance in public.</p>
<p>And people at college aren’t even beyond throwing up in dorm hallways etc when drunk.</p>
<p>And half of the junk (some of which I freaking love) on television about high school and college is so far from what really goes on. I mean, seriously. Most of those follow the same formulas just because it’s dramatic. I’m sure life in a typical California high school isn’t anything like BH:90210 or The OC the same way I wouldn’t go to Canada and expect everything to be like Degrassi.</p>
<p>Fake ID’s… not a good idea. Some clubs are 18+ and a few dance bars will have 18+ nights.</p>
<p>A lot of American students don’t know how to drink freshman year. Because the drinking age is higher, they haven’t been able to learn their limits and instead spend half their weekends with their heads in a toilet. Maybe you can teach them?</p>
<p>Have you considered any Canadian schools? The drinking age is 18/19 depending on the province. McGill, in Montreal, has great nightlife. The culture there is probably the closest to European that you will find in North America.</p>
<p>I don’t think you will be disappointed. It would be a good experience to try out a different kind of night life. Clubbing won’t be as big. What you would mostly go to would probably be house parties and frat parties. </p>
<p>I studied abroad in England this past semester and it is nice experiencing a different kind of night life. I would mainly go to bars and clubs. People in England seemed to think that since the drinking age was 21 in the United States that Americans didn’t really drink much.</p>
<p>I found that my home university was more of a party school than the university in England. Also house parties will save you money. In England getting into a club was 4-5 pounds. After that you still got to buy drinks and since clubs were in the city centre I would also have to get a cab there and back with friends.</p>
<p>You’ll definitely find clubbing is replaced by house parties.</p>
<p>As an international going to the States I can say this…DON’T get a fake. I’m pretty sure that’ll get your visa revoked. If you’re found wandering around drunk and somehow get in trouble for it, you’ll be better off than if you’re caught with a fake ID.</p>
<p>I don’t drink due to personal choice, but I still wouldn’t reccomend getting a fake due to things I’ve heard happening to underage internationals who get caught with booze in the US.</p>
<p>Ivies will expel you for use of fake IDs as well, and states such as Massachusetts will have stiff legal consequences. If over-21 clubbing is your top priority, Ivies are not the best option.</p>
<p>Yes, the level of sophistication of U.S. college freshmen is significantly lower than European counterparts. American parents seem to indulge their teens and tolerate more immaturity.</p>
<p>Yes, many college students will be acting stupid with alcohol, overdrinking, binging, playing too much beer pong, and becoming messy drunks. </p>
<p>However, you will probably be very successful socially with the moderate, sensible students who prefer more evolved social interaction and less binging.</p>
<p>Bottom line is, people have the same desires on that side of the pond. There will be am incredibly large social scene to enjoy, but it won’t be the disco-centric N. European style of things. It’s different, and if you want one like Scandinavia, then just stay at home. If trying to comprehend the rules to American football after a keg stand sounds appealing, than head on over. You’ll have hours of fun listening to women swoon over your accent. It’ll only be disappointing if you focus on how different it is from home…</p>
<p>Don’t get a fake ID, it is not that hard to get alcohol without one (just walk into any house party…) and if you get caught with one the consequences can be pretty dire, particularly as an international student.</p>
<p>Thanks for responding you guys, this pretty much paints the picture for me as i thought it would be, save I didn’t think a fake ID would land me in a world of trouble.</p>
<p>I happen to be an american citizen as well (never lived there though) and erikh86 unfortunately I’ve been to english speaking schools since third grade so I can’t even fake a swedish accent. For the girls i guess I’ll just get an LED t-shirt that says “I’m Swedish” or something^^. Nightlife is no dealbreaker for me at all, but it does factor in…</p>
<p>Sparkles21: ye McGill and equivalent has crossed my minds but I don’t think I’ll want to go to north america if I don’t get into a very competitive institution.</p>
<p>fauve: thanks man, that clears it up for me! that’s the kidna of thing I’m gonna take into account</p>
<p>I think despicable is too harsh a term there, Hauteclare. Fakes are really common. In high school, most of my friends had fakes, and I’ve heard it’s the same in college. I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for OP because he’s an international, but I’ve never really heard anyone getting in actual trouble having a fake, to be honest. My friend got his taken away two nights ago and they just disposed of it. </p>
<p>Don’t worry, OP, alcohol’s really easy to come by underage, so if you’re worried you’ll have to stay sober while in the US, that definitely shouldn’t be a concern.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t pay $150+ to get a piece of plastic that could land me in jail when I can just pay either an older student or a homeless guy to buy it for me. Or just go to a shop that doesn’t card.</p>