Alcohol and the unspoken expectations among American college students

I am an international student from Germany; therefore, I suppose it was unavoidable that I would have to face some common stereotypes about Germans. Is it true that every German wears Lederhosen? and Do all Germans eat Sauerkraut and drink beer all day? were only two of the many questions I was asked shortly after moving to DC and meeting my fellow students. As I was thinking of a reasonable answer to these queries, I soon realized that I am not conforming to the stereotypes many people have about Germans. I've never worn lederhosen (leather trousers) before, nor do I like to drink beer. Nevertheless, I was born in Germany and am, therefore, German. This contradiction between social expectations and my reality made me think about another fascinating inconsistency about college students in the States: college drinking.As teenagers leave their familiar surroundings, say goodbye to their family and friends and move away to college, they face the new experience of living with complete strangers, they are challenged to take on new responsibilities, and must study independently. The life lessons one experiences during college are probably the most formative and important ones of a person's life. Tapping into one's academic brilliance is crucial for further success in one's private and professional lives, yet often, college students have a habit of engaging in binge drinking. Why would students behave like this when it is common knowledge that every time one consumes excessive amounts of alcohol, brain cells are killed, and that excessive drinking over a long period of time can irrevocably damage intellectual capacities? In addition to these known health-related facts, both the government and universities have clear policies and laws regarding alcohol consumption. Non-compliance with those regulations can result in harsh punishments (e.g. expulsion from school or even jail). Nevertheless, people take that risk to enjoy alcohol and it even seems as if there is a social norm regarding excessive alcohol and students.