International Students

Coming into a new culture, climate, and traditions can be overwhelming, with many adjustments necessary. If you are an international student, you are going to notice a culture shock with American drinkers. Remember that being a part of an American college does not mean you have to drink like American students, and most students are responsible. It is not uncommon to struggle with change. Some important points that can assist you are:

1. The legal drinking age in the United States is 21. You can experience both university and state sanctions if drinking under the legal age.
2. When in America you do not have to drink or compete with what the Americans do.
3. Seek out students that seem to have more in common with you and appreciate your culture and values about drinking.
4. Visit the Multicultural Center in LaFortune to assist you with activities that can help you feel more at home. Staff may also be able to offer suggestions to help with adjusting to Notre Dame.
5. As many as 50 percent of people of Asian descent experience a flushed complexion after drinking alcohol. Alcohol flush reaction, the more technical name, describes the body’s inability to break down ingested alcohol completely. This is caused an inactive enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), which is normally responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a byproduct of the metabolism of alcohol. Acetaldehyde is a toxin and if your body can’t break it down, it accumulates and causes flushing. Other symptoms you might experience include dizziness, nausea, headaches, and an increased pulse.
   Scientists don’t know why the enzyme is inactive primarily in people of Asian descent, but it is genetic and can be passed on by either or both parents. Some researchers find that the presence of the mutation can help account for the lower levels of alcoholism in Asian communities, since many of the symptoms of alcohol flush reaction discourage people from drinking. There is some evidence that ALDH2 is inactive in higher than average levels in people of Jewish descent as well.

Office of Student Affairs