Holidays?

-Ehm, I was wondering, I mean, my mom was asking. . . how long will be my winter break?

-Well, you have to figure it yourself I guess :) anywhere between 7 to 14 days seems reasonable to me. I just recommend you don't make it much longer than that, so your research doesn't get completely stopped. . .and you have left enough for your summer vacations :)

- :) I ask because the advisor of my room-mate has sent an email to the group saying that they were allowed to take the day before Christmas off and that was pretty much it. I mean, added to the institute-wide official holidays that makes less than 7 days for winter break.

- LOL! Nope, I guess our groups have a bit more of the european flavor: we think holidays are necessary to recharge your "brains/batteries" ;)

I remember my first year in the States, I just went to Susan and told her I was leaving in 14 of December. She looked at me a bit goggled eyed and asked when I was planning to be back and I told her around the 4th of January. She didn't really looked very happy and yet she still didn't say no! However, I never again made plans for anything longer than 2weeks or so.

Still, I never heard Susan tell people how much time they could take off. And I guess I am really more used to the European system: so, ok, I don't think grad students should take 6 weeks off, but at the same time, I won't ever dream to tell them they can't take more than the official institute days off. Less than 7 days for christams/new year is just mean.