#50, Vacation
summer vacation 2010, fat B in the Jaisalmer Desert (India)
On July 1st at 11:05am, I'll be on board flight GA871 en route to Bali, Indonesia. The eight days of vacation are precious...a brief window of opportunity to explore the world, invigorate the spirit, and rest. I can remember each of my vacations the past five years with distinct clarity, as that time carries such heavy significance.
In South Korea , the government is rather stingy with time off. This is not true of most other developed nations. According to the International Monetary Fund, in 2011, the vacation time for the countries with the highest GDP was,
- United States- 0 days required (usually 15 given) /// 10 national holidays
- China- 0 days required /// 11 national holidays
- Japan- 18 days required /// 19 national holidays
- Germany- 24 days required /// 12 national holidays
- France- 35 days required /// 10 national holidays (and, one the most productive countries in the world)
- Brazil- 30 days required /// 15 national holidays
- United Kingdom- 20 days required /// 10 national holidays
- Italy- 30 days required /// 12 national holidays
*12. South Korea- 10 days required :((( 15 national holidays
These numbers apply to working citizens, students are given a much different deal. Most schools begin in the autumn and end in the beginning of summer. Some schools, however, run year round. Instead of one long break during the summer time, students receive several two or three week breaks during the year. Given the option, which type of school would you choose? Defend your position.
Optional: Describe how the Korean government should adjust the current vacation quota OR describe your plans for summer vacation.
-Brenden Lee Teacher
A building is alive, like a man. Its integrity is to follow its own truth, its one single theme, and to serve its own single purpose. A man doesn't borrow pieces of his body. A building doesn't borrow hunks of its soul. Its maker gives it the soul and every wall, window and stairway to express it.