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Drinking Age Travel: The Real Reason American Kids Study Abroad

August 24, 2008 at 10:09 AM | 0 Comments

The debate over the drinking age in the United States is something we haven't thought about in quite some time, but it has recently come roaring back into the headlines courtesy of 100 college presidents. The esteemed group of educators from schools as varied as Dartmouth, Colgate, and Ohio State recently signed a petition calling on lawmakers to think about lowering the minimum drinking age to 18 from 21. The problem with the higher drinking age, they say, is that it encourages clandestine binge drinking by students. Bringing 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds onto the right side of the law would eliminate the need for them to procure fake IDs and "pre-game" at home before heading to venues where booze is verboten to them.

We're not even going to wade into the debate. Rather, we'll point out that the U.S. drinking age is the highest in the world, which is one reason so many college kids sign up for that semester in Europe. So where can an 18-year-old Yankee travel to enjoy the sweet nectar of booze? Pretty much anywhere. The drinking age is almost universally 18 around the world, with a few strange exceptions: Ukraine, Fiji, and Kiribati require drinkers to be at least 21 for some reason. And in much of Canada you've got to be 19 to tip back a Moosehead Lager. Beyond that, you're golden.

As for young travelers from the rest of the world coming to America looking for a wee nip, we can't do nothin' for ya. There used to be a few trendy enclaves where the drinking age was still 18 - the French Quarter of New Orleans and Washington D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood come to mind - but they've all since fallen in line with the national standard of 21. So just think of your visit here as a rehab, of sorts. There's plenty of legal alcohol awaiting you back home, or wherever your travels take you next.

[Photo: Chicago Sun-Times]

Related Stories:
· 100 College Presidents: Make Drinking Age 18 [AP via Chicago Sun-Times]
· Drinking Travel Coverage [Jaunted]