Cho, Hyun / Vacation Planning / Thurs34

 

 

September 15th 2008, Lehman Brothers, one of the world’s leading financial enterprises, filed for bankruptcy. The failure is regarded as the biggest and worst bankruptcy in U.S history, consequently provoking financial crisis of Euro-zone which remains unsettled until today. Due to globally-spread financial difficulty, many countries are suffering from high unemployment rate and especially youth unemployment is considered the most serious issue, accordingly. In this context, multitude of young Koreans, who are in their 20s or in early 30s, have been struggling with finding jobs, starting to concern about their future career in their early 20s. This recent trend dramatically contrasts with relaxing and leisurely campus life of 1990s Korea, which was common in that period.

 

           In response to harsh competition in job market, caused by recent financially emergent circumstance, numerous young Korean students are spending their time to develop their career, which later might be advantageous for their employment. For this reasons, internships at major companies and taking language program abroad are becoming popular activities for Korean university students during their vacation time. However, I believe option for vacation planning should not be limited on career development. There are other interesting activities, which also can be beneficial for one’s future career.

 

           First, studying liberal arts can be favorable experience, which nourish one’s intellectual maturity and remarkably broaden his perspectives. These days, Korean students often confine themselves on studying popular majors, such as business administration or engineering. Some might say learning those spotlighted studies is demanded for finding desirable jobs in recent severely competitive period. However, liberal art can help one grow profound insight, which later become the great asset of one’s life. Person who is highly perceptive is more likely to overcome his or her difficulty, compared with one who have just experienced common and average events.

 

           Second, traveling is another desirable option for vacation planning. Traveling can broaden one’s perspective toward the world by visiting many different areas and experiencing various kinds of activities. In addition, it enables one to appreciate differences between unfamiliar civilization and people, which promotes raising open mindedness and cooperative behavior. These acquired virtues will help one successfully acclimate to rapidly changing environment and new organizational group. Furthermore, he would show greater performance on his job by effectively joining with his coworkers.

 

           Last but not the least, volunteering is recommended for student’s vacation time. These days, many young people tend to focus on their academic goals or developing their careers. However, person without morals can neither be respected, nor successful. By appreciating difficulties of social minorities, one can step toward the true genuine leader, which our society necessitates for. In this context, vacation is very suitable time for students to experience volunteering work before going back to their schools.