Drugs, drinking, and university

Hi, I'm a first year student at UCLA and I have some questions about studying in British universities. I plan on studying abroad in my third year.

I don't do drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol. Are there other people in the UK like that? If so, how do you recommend I go about meeting them? If it helps, I'm an engineering student who likes football (American and European), yet is not very athletic. I am Indian, like smart and witty mainstream entertainment (ie 'The Daily Show with Jon Stewart' and 'Scrubs'), and my musical tastes include techno music and classic rock.

Also, this may sound more vague. Is the culture among college students in the UK different from that in the US? If so, how? I mean, what is the average UK university student like compared to the average US university student?

Yes. Me, with exception of drinking (which I do).

I will tell you that drinking is prevalent, but hardly required. No one will care if you don't drink.

Mind you, I go to art school, where people can be a bit more... To meet these sort of people, maybe join a sobriety society? or another society with people with similar interests?

Good luck

Also, how would you recommend a guy like me make British friends while studying in the UK?

Also, how would you recommend a guy like me make British friends while studying in the UK?

Be friendly.  How else would you make friends?

No matter where you go, you are going to meet people who drink/do drugs/smoke and people who dont. Just be friendly. And don't be afraid to go to a pub. They are nothing like American bars, and you dont have to drink anything stronger than a coke if you dont want to.

Also, how would you recommend a guy like me make British friends while studying in the UK?

Talk to the other students. Join some clubs.

No matter where you go, you are going to meet people who drink/do drugs/smoke and people who dont. Just be friendly. And don't be afraid to go to a pub. They are nothing like American bars, and you dont have to drink anything stronger than a coke if you dont want to.

How are they different from American bars?

A lot of them aren't as seedy as American Bars.

Well.... there are pubs and there are bars. Pubs are usually in older buildings and filled with regulars, like the ones you see on British soaps. Then there are bars and clubs. Those are a bit closer to home, like the ones you find in the US. I do like the clubs better in the UK though. Not every guy is blantantly trying to get in your pants, and it's all about getting boozed up with friends and having a laugh.

The UK has a very prevalent drinking culture so it's hard to find social situations that don't involve booze. However, there are drinks for teetotalers in bars like J20 that look very much like alcopops. Don't miss out on having fun just because you don't drink!

Drinking among students in the UK and the US is pretty much the norm while in the US it's underground in house parties , spring break and dorm fest it's just as much part of US college life as it is here in the UK...I acually got more slack when I was studying in the US for not drinking at roomates house parties while here I can sit with mates that drink and they don't have a problem with it or hassle me for it. Go to fresher's fayres the universities hold when you start out your Uni life in the UK they will give you ideas of clubs,societies and events where you can meet folks. Get out there see what's available and don't suffer the same fate some travel abroaders do that get too timid and insular to give things a go.

*thumbs up*