A recent survey by the University of Washington showed students studying abroad more than double their alcohol consumption while they are overseas.

The survey consisted of 177 University of Washington students who spent between three and five months studying in foreign countries.

According to Washington graduate student and author of the report Eric Pedersen, it is the first of many research studies to come analyzing students’ drinking abroad.

“Students’ alcohol intake increased by around 105 percent, which comes out to around four to 10 additional drinks per person,” Pedersen said. “Some students maintain their current drinking habits while away, but the other students go way overboard.”

This increase could be attributed to several different factors, including lower drinking age laws, different cultural settings and misconceptions of the country’s drinking habits, according to the survey.

University of Wisconsin senior Rachel Bindl could relate to the results of Washington’s survey. She spent the spring semester of her junior year abroad in Leeds, England.

“I would say personally my alcohol intake increased while I was there,” Bindl said. “You want to experience all the country has to offer, and the culture is much more indulgent.”

One of the major problems students have while beginning their study abroad term is their misconception of the drinking norms of the country.

“Everyone needs to be aware that drinking in other countries is much different from drinking in the United States,” Pedersen said.

The University of Washington also found the heavier and more frequent drinkers at school were the heaviest drinkers abroad as well.

Bindl also agreed. She said classes were not nearly as hard in Leeds than at UW, which is another reason drinking increased for her and her fellow classmates and friends.

“The workload was not as serious or intense in my program,” Bindl said. “We took advantage of the opportunities, that is for sure.”

According to a statement from the University of Washington, no information has been released yet concerning the students’ study habits after they returned to the University of Washington. The students did, however, readjust their drinking habits for the most part.

“We are not completely sure to what extent the students drank while abroad,” Pedersen said. “We hope in the future we can study further and find out if they are getting in trouble academically as a result.”

Bindl experienced a slight adjustment as well when she returned from England, but did not encounter any negative consequences.

“I missed Madison while I was away, but missed the British culture and traveling when I came back too,” Bindl said. “I fell right back into my schedule, and I still went out and drank, but it was an adjustment.”

Bindle also encouraged studying abroad while in college.

“Everyone should do it if they can, but with finances that is not always possible,” she said. “It was such a rewarding experience, and I met my best friends abroad.”