The UK Experience

Paul Stampton - on exchange from Leongatha to Kettering, Northamptonshire

Personally, I had never worked in another secondary school, having come from TAFE teaching and industry, so the change from a small country Catholic school to a large town government school was most rewarding and valuable. As Science Co-ordinator, it was good to do a whole year of science as I teach a typically varied range of subjects in my small school.

I had a family of five and we were able to travel for 20 plus weeks visiting many countries and regions as a result of the economies of scale that results from the extended stay of an exchange ie we bought a motorhome and insured it for a year and travelled through Europe as it is so close by.

The initial period of work was hard (OFSTED inspection two weeks into the exchange!) as was getting the family used to the new schools etc. My wife took two weeks to obtain employment which was great as we would have found it a bit hard financially in the UK without her working.

But overall, it was a great experience for my family, we would recommend the exchange program to colleagues and given the opportunity, I would do it all again!

Bronwyn and Wayne Gill - on exchange from Newcastle to Semilong, Northamptonshire

The UK is a fantastic destination. We loved what it had to offer. We did very well financially and feel people are misinformed about how much it costs to live there. We have found many things more expensive since being back in Australia. Food items have been about the same, if not cheaper on some items, especially fruit and vegetables. The choice of food is unbelievable; prices vary considerably with the supermarket you go to.

Travelling to Europe is so close; we have been to Greece, Eastern Europe, Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland. Travelling in the UK is so easy - petrol is expensive but distances are quite short compared to Australia. The road system is very good; we were in Northamptonshire in the Midlands, about 60 miles north of London; it was so central that we are able to find a new area to visit every weekend.

There are so many beautiful places in the UK; you just never get tired of the beautiful villages or the country scenery. Don't just think of Europe when you plan your holidays.

The exchange experience has given me a new appreciation of how well we do things at my Australian school and what great teaching conditions we have. I came home feeling revived and enthused.

The Exchange Conference held in Belfast in March is an absolute must! We can't stress enough how good this was and that you must not miss it. Information on the conference will be forwarded to you by the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers.

Join the Youth Hostel - especially if you have a family and you don't mind this sort of accommodation. We joined on the internet when we arrived and they gave us two free nights' accommodation; use your UK address to join the England and Wales Association. Some hostels are in great locations for natural environment visits; city hostels are less appealing - can be busy and noisy.

The exchange program is fantastic - the "darkness" of the days was hard to cope with at first; the cold was not a problem. Remember you are arriving at the worst time of the year; it isn't the cold but the short days; you go to school in the dark and come home in the dark! Choose carefully the distance of the school from where you live; commuting is hectic and even harder in the dark of winter; but still, we would recommend the exchange program!