Study abroad likely to increase college drinking

SEATTLE — A new study has found that students who go abroad while in college are likely to increase or even double their alcohol intake while they’re away.

The study by researchers at the University of Washington found that drinking increased most dramatically in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Students reported drinking more when they perceived their fellow travelers were drinking more heavily. And those who planned to make drinking part of their cultural immersion did so.

UW graduate student Eric Pedersen says his research did not pinpoint why students drink more while they study abroad, and the results don’t necessarily indicate binge drinking. Pedersen says a drink or so each night with dinner could add up to the 10 drinks a week European visitors reported on average.