Enjoy Your Erasmus with Less Alcohol

When somebody hears about “Erasmus”, they might associate the experience with a lot of partying. Sure, there are lots of parties that Erasmus students attend. Many of them are organized by ESN itself. However, that doesn’t mean that a party needs to equal to drinking. But it usually does.

Most students love a good party. We love to dance, escape the moment, and lose ourselves in the night. But is it worth it to drink that many vodkas? Or beer? Sure, it’s fun in the moment, but think about the day after. Remember the hangover that can highly impact your studies.

This doesn’t mean that you should forever stop drinking and never attend another party. Life isn’t black and white. You are free to drink on your mobility. But why not limit it, at least?

Find out 5 different ways that can motivate you to have fun on your Erasmus with less alcohol!

#1 Instead of partying, chill at the beach

In my last article on this blog, you can find out about some of the most amazing beaches in Dubrovnik. Make sure to take this advantage of your Erasmus place there. Especially, if you’re coming from a country that doesn’t have usual access to the beach. Bring some food and alcohol-free drink and chill there. Ask your Erasmus friends or ESN-ers to join you. Life is all about making memories. Make sure to make the most of it sober, too!

#2 Surround yourself with people who don’t drink (as much)

Looking for a Croatian lesson? "S kim si, takav si." is a saying in Croatian. It means that you grow similar to the people that you spend the most time around. If you’re attend one of ESN event or another, try to stay around people that don’t drink as much. They usually exist. Grab a coca-cola with them and chat more. You might engage in a more meaningful conversation this way. And, make a new friend!

#3 Plan something important the day after

If the devil were a feeling, it would be a hangover. It’s much easier to engage in drinking when you have nothing planned the next day but Netflix and bed. If you schedule something important the next day such as a commitment to a friend or a long study session, you might be more cautious of your drinking habit that Saturday night.

#4 Remember the bad side-effects of binge drinking

Nobody wants to gain weight or bloat, have a headache or bad skin. All of those could be side-effects to binge drinking. They can come in short-term. And in the long-term, you can get even more dangerous side-effects.[1] Liver problems, irregular heartbeat, loss of attention span, among others, are long-term side effects of binge-drinking.

Or at last, you can get unintentional injuries from a drunk night such as accidentally falling somewhere. Use these bad side-effects of alcohol to lower your consumption and choose a different kind of party. Check the next idea.

#5 Do sports and get high naturally

Many people like to drink because they get high from drinking. They feel free, relaxed, and confident. But the fact is, you can feel like this without getting a hangover the next day. ESN organizes a lot of sports and recreation activities that you can attend. Or you can organize something with your friends, too. Play some tennis, football, futsal, or basketball. Go for a swim or a run. You can also do yoga or go for a hike on mountain Srđ while you’re staying in Dubrovnik. Do it more often and you will gain that health and confidence!

Erasmus and other students can often feel pressured to drink. Mostly because of others around them or they just want an escape. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. Learn to enjoy life sober. You can motivate yourself to have fun with less alcohol on your Erasmus stay. All you need to do is to find alternatives, and there are plenty.

*And for the last note: If the coronavirus pandemic which resulted in quarantine, didn’t happen, Erasmus students would celebrate the seasonal #Responisbleparty. Click the link here to learn more.

[1] https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/alcohol/short-term-long-term-effects.html