Summer Holidays by Berkeley – Part 2

We recently published a blog about the differences between the summer holidays our partners take around the globe this time of year. We had so many great responses we had to split it up into two blogs! If you missed the first, you can find it here.

In the United States… It’s business as usual (kind of)

Like our friends in Australia and in contrast to our European friends, business doesn’t typically slow down in the summer months in the States, but the vibe is definitely a little bit more chill. Some companies adopt summer Fridays, where employees can finish their working day at noon so they can get out and enjoy happy hour on a patio, go for a picnic with family or friends, or head to the pool to cool off.

The unofficial, but widely celebrated, start of summer kicks off on the Memorial Day holiday, which is at the end of May and extends through the Labor Day holiday in early-September. Typically, school lets out for the summer in May and many families take advantage of the summer break to take a week off and travel. Families often road trip to a nearby National Park to camp, travel within the country to visit family, or they may even dust off their passports for a trip to Europe. The summer break for students is long, extending through mid-late August so, many children and teenagers attend summer camps during their school break so their parents can continue to work. These camps offer a range of activities, including sports, arts and crafts, nature exploration, and educational programs.

The Berkeley U.S. team is spread across the country, from San Diego, California, to the mountains of Colorado and the New Jersey coast. Because we all live and work in different regions, summer looks a little different for all of us.

For those of us on the West Coast, we have access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. We spend our summers swimming, boogie boarding, surfing, and relaxing by the ocean breeze. We may take advantage of the pleasant weather to visit the animals at the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.

In Colorado, our summers are dominated by outdoor adventure. From hiking some of the tallest mountain peaks in North America, mountain biking and off-the-grid camping, to enjoying a concert at the infamous Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Coloradans spend as much time as humanly possible outdoors in the summer. And on the East Coast, many of the beach towns have vibrant boardwalks that come alive in the summer. With amusement rides, arcades, restaurants and live entertainment, there is nothing quite like enjoying a funnel cake or some saltwater taffy on the boardwalk during a summer sunset.

Meanwhile in Australia… it’s “cold” outside.

We typically spend the Northern Hemisphere summertime dreaming of summer, since it’s the middle of winter in Australia now.

But when you live in a country the size of central Europe, the definition of winter is somewhat different and dependent on where in Australia you live. Up north where it’s tropical it’s not too dissimilar from the Mediterranean summer temperatures, and down south you’ll occasionally get the sub-zero temperatures that remind you that it is in fact winter. “Christmas in July feelings” is a real thing here and is triggered by shorter days and colder temperatures.

For those that like skiing, this is the time when you might plan a trip to the Australian Alps, defined by most Northern Hemisphere skiers as glorified hills. Some head over to the New Zealand Alps instead which look a bit more like the European Alps. For those that don’t ski, this time of year is a great time to spend outdoors as the temperatures are more manageable than in summer when it can get very hot during the day.

In Sydney where the Berkeley Communications Australia Office is located, it’s business as usual during this time. Our clients, consultants and journalists operate normally. And over the coming months we slowly start the exciting countdown to the Australian summer – and our silly season – which typically starts in December and runs well into January.

As we round off this two-part series, it’s evident that the summer holiday, in all its diverse forms, offers a universal appeal – a time for rest, reflection, adventure, and, most importantly, togetherness. Despite the different ways we might choose to spend this time, the thread of shared anticipation and enjoyment connects us across cultures and continents.

As an international PR agency, we revel in these differences that make our global team so unique. We look forward to returning from our varied breaks refreshed and ready to take on the next season. Whether you’re catching the last rays of the summer sun or are bundling up for winter’s chill, we hope that these insights have offered a taste of summer as savoured around the world. So here’s to the rest of the season, wherever you might be! Enjoy it in the best way you know how – you’ve certainly earned it. Until our next global check-in, happy holidays from all of us at Berkeley!