At the end of April, VUB will host an alcohol-free cantus for students, alumni, and staff. Under the motto that you can absolutely have fun without a drink in hand, students Dylan and Louise share how they experience student life as teetotallers and active members of a student society. “In my student society, no one has ever forced or encouraged me to drink alcohol.”
Why did you decide not to drink alcohol?
Dylan: “I used to drink alcohol regularly, but I saw people do things under the influence that made me realise I never wanted to be that person. Having had a few negative experiences with alcohol, I decided to stop drinking altogether. I haven’t touched a drop in six years now. If others choose to drink, I’m not the type to tell them they shouldn’t. But I do take responsibility for making sure that anyone who’s had too much gets home safely or doesn’t get behind the wheel—especially if I’m the only one clear-headed enough to make those decisions.”
Louise: “It started as a sort of bet with my mum, along with my brother and sister. She promised us a big reward if we didn’t drink, smoke, or do drugs before we turned 18. At 16, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll give it a go.’ But I often had friends at the time who tried to pressure me into drinking—and even tried sneaking alcohol into my drink. That put me off so much that, when I did turn 18, I didn’t suddenly feel the need to start drinking. I’m grateful to my mum, because it taught me to stand up to peer pressure from a young age—and I managed to do just that.”
“Everyone understands that if someone’s had a bit too much to drink, they just need to get home safely—and that’s exactly what happens”
Does the sense of responsibility weigh on you, being the only sober person sometimes?
Dylan: “There is a limit for me, definitely. I’m usually the designated driver—makes sense, since I have a licence and don’t drink. But I’ve also brought people home when that wasn’t the original plan. I’m happy to help, to make sure someone gets home safely, but there’s only so much I can do. I’m not going to tell people they can’t drink, but if someone has had a really rough night, I will bring it up the next day. And usually, they’ll admit I’ve got a point.”
Dylan: “Student life is very close-knit, so there’s always someone willing to help. But you never know—there could be one bad apple, or someone from outside who manages to sneak in with bad intentions. The good thing at VUB is that most people in the student scene know each other. I also notice that many people who do drink still have a sense of maturity and responsibility. The core committee of my student society has always taken that responsibility seriously and made sure people got home safely.”
Louise: “I don’t go to student parties (TDs) that often, and I usually leave before everyone’s completely drunk. But I have walked drunk people back to their rooms before. It’s not exactly fun, but at the same time, it’s just part of being there for your friends. If I see someone is quite drunk but their mates still seem in control, I’ll check in with them to make sure that person gets home safely. I do try not to be the ‘mum’ of the party though—after all, I’m there to have a good time too.”
Louise: “One of the great things about VUB is that everything’s on or around campus. All the student housing is nearby, so if someone’s had too much, it’s not a long walk back—and people genuinely look out for each other. Everyone’s aware that if someone’s had a bit too much to drink, they just need to get back to their room safely—and that’s exactly what happens. Sometimes I do find it hard when people drink, but that’s mostly because they start acting in ways I’m not used to from them. In those moments, I’ll just keep my distance, but I don’t hold it against them for having had a drink.”
You’re both part of student societies. How do other students react to the fact you don’t drink?
Dylan: “I was already 21 when I started at VUB as a working student, and I hadn’t had a drink for a year by then. So it was a conscious choice before I ever entered student life. Maybe it would’ve been different if I’d gone straight to uni before I stopped drinking, I don’t know. I only joined a society in my second year, but by then I already knew some of the committee, and they knew I didn’t drink. No one ever pressured me. Sometimes it was offered, but when I said I didn’t drink, they always made sure there was an alternative. So it’s never been hard for me to say no. There are also people who don’t drink because of their roles—like being a confidant in the society.”
Louise: “When I came to VUB, I was exploring the idea of joining a student society. When I mentioned that I don’t drink, it was completely fine right away. That’s when I realised that not drinking is actually pretty normal. Because everyone accepted it so easily, I learned to accept it myself and stopped feeling guilty about it. Even during the initiation period, when there were events involving alcohol, no one ever pressured me to drink.”
“There’s a more positive view these days towards students who don’t drink”
Do you notice a shift in how students consume alcohol?
Dylan: “Yeah, I think students are drinking less overall. When I hear stories from years ago, it sounds like things used to be a lot more intense. I think there’s a kind of societal pressure now—there are things that just aren’t acceptable anymore. Some of the rules that VUB introduced didn’t even exist ten years ago. No one questions them now, and I think societies themselves realised that a shift was needed. That kind of self-awareness is way more powerful than simply following a rule because you’re told to.”
Louise: “I’ve noticed it too—especially since I’ve helped guide new members (schachten). There’s a much more positive image now of students who don’t drink, and societies are doing more for them. I’ve been to cantuses before where there wasn’t any alcohol-free option, and now it’s standard to at least have water available. There’s clearly a shift happening, and student societies are making a real effort. The fact that I don’t drink has always been met with kindness and support.”
Do you think alcohol is separate from drugs?
Dylan: “When you don’t drink, you do start to question alcohol use in general. Is it really worse to try drugs once recreationally than to drink alcohol multiple times a week for years on end? I’ve come to terms with the fact that alcohol won’t be banned—it’s just too embedded in our society. And that goes far beyond university life.”
Louise: “Yeah, I think you really have to look at how normalised alcohol is in our society. It’s everywhere. That’s why I find the idea of an alcohol-free cantus so special—there are people I’ve never seen sober at a cantus! I think they’ll come too, so I’m really looking forward to showing them what it’s like for me.”
What do you think about alcohol-free alternatives like beer and wine?
Dylan: “I don’t drink alcohol-free beer myself, but I do like alcohol-free sparkling wine. Some friends and I have been experimenting with that. I’ve noticed that even people who usually drink alcohol sometimes choose the alcohol-free version. Most can’t even taste the difference—unless they’re real connoisseurs. I’m definitely in favour of more alcohol-free options at events, but in the end, it’s still a personal decision. It shouldn’t be something that’s imposed from the top down.”
Louise: “I don’t need alcohol-free versions that taste like alcohol—I never learned to like the taste. This past year I’ve tried tiny sips just to see, and honestly? I still find it disgusting. It burns my throat and tastes awful. People say, ‘Oh, you need to learn to like it,’ but I don’t agree with that.”
Free to go alcohol-free. Enjoy the cantus!
It’s happening on 29 April: VUB’s very first alcohol-free cantus! And this isn’t just any cantus—it’s a milestone in VUB history. We’re aiming to break the world record, currently held by KU Leuven, by gathering over 270 participants. But that’s not all… This cantus will also mark the final event in the iconic white tent on Etterbeek campus—an enduring symbol of student life at our university for years. Let’s give it the send-off it deserves! You won’t want to miss this! Students, staff, and alumni of VUB are all welcome!