Teach Abroad Time Off

Holidays

International school schedules generally follow the Western education system, with school in session Monday through Friday, approximately 180 days a year and summers off. That said, international schools often have longer holidays during the school year and a shorter summer break, allowing for a more well-rounded vacation plan! Most schools have a week off in autumn break, three weeks off at Christmas, a week off in the winter (February time frame), another week off during spring, and then two months off for summer. For example, at an international school in China, in addition to several one-day holidays dispersed throughout the year, teachers enjoy the following holiday schedule:

• 1 week off in October
• 3 days off in November
• 3 weeks off over Christmas and New Years
• 1 week off in February
• 1 week off in April
• 1 week off in May
• 6 weeks summer vacation(from June 29 to August 15)

Teachers, students, and parents alike generally prefer this schedule to one with a long summer break, as it provides more time throughout the year to go on vacation, travel, relax, and enjoy all the seasons in a country. During school holidays teachers usually use their excess income to explore neighboring cities and countries, often together.

Weekends

Teachers overseas use their weekends to relax, travel around the country, or explore their local area. Inside a teacher's host city, a typical weekend could include many of the same activities available in Western countries. For movie lovers, many larger cities have English speaking theaters, while in smaller cities people often gather at someone's home for a movie night. Parties and game nights are also popular.