Job Discussion Forums

[Iamherebecause]

Just vaguely wondering what colleagues up and down the country think of this new academic year. Personally I have found it very disruptive to teaching - University students having three weeks off, and then just a couple of weeks to get into the mood for learning before final exams. And for those teachers who wanted to travel tickets were all at peak rate, and the local hotels were also at peak rate if they weren't fully booked with Europeans on their Christmas holidays. And now we all have just a couple of weeks to get our head straight before the new semester starts.

I would be happy to go back to the old system, with a clear break between the semesters. Maybe I've been here too long!

[It's Scary!]

Only in a sick part of academia do "students" take a "couple of weeks" to get back "into the mood for learning". In the REAL world, they jump right back into classes.

Yeah, you've been there too long. I'm glad I was forced to leave...

It's an eye-opening experience!

[Neutrino Girl]

I totally agree with you, Iamherebecause!

The new holiday times have really made the Fall semester feel choppy in addition to being at a very expensive time to travel. I used to wish that I had Christmas off, but now I would really like the old system back.

If they want to keep these holiday times, it would be better to run an academic calendar as they do in the West with the Christmas break being between semesters. If they started the academic year earlier and finished earlier they could do this.

[robinbanks]

If you're married with kids it's better.At least you have the holidays off with them and if your spouse is working and the kids have different days off anjd can be very difficult to get "instant'sitters.Anyway-who want to go back to freezing Europe or the States/Canada at that time?
In the old system that Feb-June semester was awfully long-getting hotter,no hols-so the 'Easter break'will be a welcome respite for most educators in the Gulf.it was only a matter of time before school breaks HAD to tally with college breaks as so many parent(s)are in the latter.

[Gus Barkley]

In the new system we'll be in class until the very end of June, like literally June 30. I know two years ago I was on a plane on June 15...

As Ramadan moves forward the idea of a western calendar with the semester break being Christmas would make sense, but this new calendar has nothing to do with Christmas for those of us in the semester system. They simply plopped a semester system on top of a trimester calendar and *surprise* it gives odd break times.

The bad news: No real break between semesters will be tough. Yes, there's a week but we're not allowed to leave the country and with the meetings scheduled it's not really going to feel like a week off.

The good news: We've been confirmed for getting the two weeks off for spring break (UAEU, at least).

It was nice for a year. It eliminated the excuse about going home for Christmas and I was happy to be back home.

Now I'd like to see the old schedule return.

[crocus]

Not every university has moved to this new schedule; certainly we haven't at University of Sharjah. This may change, of course, as many people get used to the new schedule of semesters / holidays. I hope we don't change, as the idea of being stuck here till the end of June does nothing for me - too hot!

[Iamherebecause]

UAEU doesn't finish until 26 June this year - that seems very late.

[robinbanks]

Aagh....happy days!There used to be "summer school"at UAEU and we had to do four hours a day for six days on a three week long course,but a lot of married people did it to pay fees,buy cars,etc.We only got 3 weeks holiday-but nice to have a thirteenth cheque.As to the the person from U.of Sh.these holidays are from ADEC-does their writ run as far as there or just A.D?