AFTER the authors of a new Lonely Planet travel guide branded Bournemouth "a nation's drinking problem personified", we decided to find out how foreign students view the resort.

Do they feel safe on the streets of Bournemouth? Are they perturbed by the town's partying culture? Given the choice, would they prefer to be back home?

Karina Obregon, 19, from Mexico has been here for two months. She said: "I find Bournemouth very interesting and I'm enjoying being here.

"I love the music scene and go out to have fun, usually to Latin nights. I can walk home at 2am with my friends and feel safe.

"People drink in all parts of the world. Bournemouth is no worse than other places. I usually have two beers when I go out; I had a choice between Bournemouth and London and came here because it is quieter and really beautiful."

Iria Saleiro, 19, from France, said: "I've been here since the end of September and haven't had any problems or ended up in trouble.

"People drink more responsibly in France; there are less drunks there. I see more young people drunk here on the street. I have a couple of glasses of wine when I go out; in France it is not good for a girl to drink too much. I like to know what I'm doing. I just don't need alcohol.

"I feel safe but I won't walk alone here or in France. There are crazy people everywhere."

Milan Styk, 52, from Slovakia, said: "I've been in Bournemouth nearly five months and it's been fine.

"I socialise with school friends and my housemates; beer is cheaper in the Square. In Slovakia we also have problems in the street with young people who have been drinking too much. I have never had any trouble in pubs or in the street."

Mamdouh Khleedi, 27, from Saudi Arabia has been in Bournemouth for 14 months. He said: "We are not allowed to drink in my country; it is all undercover.

"I drink wine or vodka here, just to be happy with my friends. I have seen boys and girls drunk here; I find it strange. Sometimes I feel threatened but walk away.

"I think British students drink too much and are putting themselves at risk. I like Bournemouth; particularly the beach."

Monique Dkonzer, 20, from Germany, has been in Bournemouth three months. She said: "I'm happy to be here and feel safe.

"But my friends sometimes have trouble with English guys; a car stops and rude things are said. I am surprised by how much British girls drink.

"I had been to Majorca and seen a lot of British people there but when I saw it in reality it shocked me a bit. Too much drinking is not good for the body; you do stupid things and can't control your mind."

Filiz Demirci, 29, from Turkey has been in Bournemouth for four months. "I live in Istanbul, a 24-hour city where life never stops.

"I find Bournemouth a bit boring because it is too quiet for me but I had been working as a computer engineer back home and needed a rest.

"I feel safe here but always go out with friends, sometimes walking home alone and never feeling frightened. I like the weather here and the sea is very beautiful. People drink too much and there are lots of drunk people on the streets but they don't do any harm."

Kyung Chul Han, 27, from Korea, has been in Bournemouth for six months. "It's my first time in England and I feel very safe here. I socialise in town but don't go to the pub often. I usually go to the local Baptist church, sometimes three times a week.

"I drink sometimes; a beer or Guinness which is very expensive in Korea. I just have a couple of pints. I have seen British teenagers, boys and girls, drunk in the Square. It concerned me but they didn't touch me or cause trouble.

"In the street in Korea nobody is drunk. It is not acceptable and a policeman will tell people off if they are drinking in public."

Nichole Siemssen, 23, from Germany has been in Bournemouth for six months. She said: "Controls here are quite strict in supermarkets and pubs. I drink cider, beer or wine. I feel just as safe here as back home, even when I'm walking alone. I really love the beach and the town centre is lovely with so many shops."

Gina Sanson, 17, from Switzerland has been in England for two months. She said: "I quite like it; there are a lot of nice people and the atmosphere is good in the pubs.

"In every country you have bad people. My boyfriend, who is French, had a problem with English boys last Sunday. He just ran off; it was quite scary.

"A lot of our friends have also had problems, particularly the boys. English boys seem to want to prove they are strong.

"Teenagers everywhere try to find their drinking limits. It's quite normal. I'm not the kind of girl who drinks. I don't like to lose my temper or control of my tongue."

Kamil Navarro, 20, from Columbia has been in Bournemouth for two months. He said: "I work to help pay for my studies so I don't have a lot of free time. When I do I go into Bournemouth to a pub or nightclub. I've never had any trouble here.

"Bournemouth is a good place to learn English; you can make a lot of friends from different nationalities. I don't drink a lot; young people here drink too much.

"My friends feel frightened but I don't. I only drink in places where I know I am safe, like friends' flats."