Job Discussion Forums

JamesD · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:58 am Post subject: 2012 Holiday Schedule

For what it's worth, thought some might be interested in the holiday schedule for 2012. Bear in mind these are the national holidays set for businesses but should roughly correspond to school schedules or at least give you an idea of when holidays fall next year.

January 1, 2, 3
January 22-28 inclusive
April 2, 3, 4
April 29, 30, May 1
June 22, 23, 24
September 30 - October 7 inclusive (Combined holidays)
TBD in December - everyone is permanently off as the world ends.

kev7161 · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 5880 Location: Suzhou, China

Wanna know something crazy? We were told yesterday that our "real" New Year holiday is indeed Jan. 1, 2, 3. Then, back to school on the 4th, then . . . we're done until after the CNY holiday, back to school on Feb. 6th. I don't have any travel plans for early January so not really a big deal for me, but seems so weird.

We all get the 26th off for Christmas (along with the weekend of the 24th-25th), so 3 days off, 5 days on, 3 days off, 1 day on, (roughly) 30 days off! And get paid for the whole thing! Love the holidays!

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

The university here is getting back on Feb. 13th.

Jan 2 for New Year (it is a reading week anyway so no teaching)
Jan 16 to Feb 10 for Spring festival
April 4-6 for Qing Ming
April 30-May 2 for May Holiday
June 25 for Duanwu Jie, but we will be done by then

Didn't do start or end dates on weekends as we don't work weekends anyway.

w.melon56 · Joined: 11 Aug 2011 Posts: 31

JamesD · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:35 pm Post subject: Re: 2012 Holiday Schedule

Guerciotti · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: 2012 Holiday Schedule

petebeatstreet · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject:

I'm off December 31st until February 12th, and will be in my country of birth for 90% of that period.

No need to be in China over CNY.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

Guerciotti, what is it about the general unwillingness to share information? I really don't understand and probably never will. Students are much more apt to share info, so ask your students about start/end dates, holidays, and test dates. The dates are often on a school webpage, in Chinese of course.

.

Guerciotti · Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject:

Ariadne, I'm not sure what it is. It may be a fascinating aspect of Chinese culture. Or they are control freaks.
True, the students know before I and they keep me informed as best they can, but information is tight around here. The website also provides short notice. The students get info from the website and share it with me, albeit only a little sooner than the time my handlers choose to inform me. They always act surprised when i tell them "I know," but even then the students don't exactly find out soon.
That's just the way it is here. Makes me crazy, but it ain't gonna change.

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

Advanced notice? It would really help for those NOT staying in China for the Chinese New Year. I and another FT was told January 14 was the last day here, but official notice will not be given until maybe the week prior, just like Golden Week I booked and paid for my ticket and that's it.

Sounds like when the school when to the "Winter Schedule" Everyone knew EXCEPT the foreign teachers. It was discussed at the faculty meeting held purely in Chinese that we were told to attend. Found out Monday morning at 755AM, asking where I was... that previous weeks my Monday class was at 920...

wangdaning · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 3154

I get a yearly calendar at the beginning of each year. Maybe you could ask someone in the office if they have a similar calendar that you could have.

It is not always good to listen to the students. Students often go on holiday before the teachers. Usually the last thing in a term is exams, then students leave. Teachers, on the other hand, still have to do the marking.

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

We all have. repeatedly... to no avail. Its one of those closely-guarded secrets that only the Chinese faculty know... But it was one of senior Chinese faculty members - our so-called supervisor - that told us the that day (Jan 14) was the last day - All subject to change, of course. Its the last-minute notice mentality here, I suppose.

I will not and can not wait to buy a last minute air ticket as it is the beginning of the Chinese New Year - with jacked-up airfare the closer we get to that date. Most of us make RMB and not USD-type salaries so that is a major expense, and many airlines in this part of the world do not exactly issue changeable tickets unless at full-fare price.

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

gettin' off work on December 23rd here, whoop whoop! two more weeks!

askiptochina · Joined: 26 Feb 2010 Posts: 488 Location: Beijing

Cyberkada · Joined: 04 Dec 2011 Posts: 306 Location: Xi'an, China

That's what we did... Once she told us, it seemed that was a big oops on her part.