A PRESTON student has slammed a new study claiming that gap years away from home are a waste of time.

Anna Downs, 18, is taking time off between her studies to travel to Swaziland where she will teach up to 70 children in one class at the struggling John Wesley Methodist Primary School in Mbabane.

The study, undertaken by 'The Times' newspaper, claims that taking a year out between college and university is nothing more than a 'pretentious excuse to loaf around'.

But for Anna, a Preston College student from Bamber Bridge, the chance to teach abroad is much more. For six months she will be teaching English to youngsters in a primary school with few resources. Anna said: "I think it depends what you are doing on a gap year. For some people it's just a chance to go on holiday, but for me it will be to learn more about other cultures, and about myself.

"The classes at the school can be very very crowded. At first I will be an assistant teacher, teaching half of the children in a class. Then after a while I will go on to teach a whole class."

To prepare for her role, Anna has been to teacher training classes in London. She also has to have four vaccinations, because of the risk of disease she will face when she gets to Africa.

Anna said: "I had an injection for rabies today and then I've got one for yellow fever coming up. I have already had two others as well. To get ready for the trip I'm also having to put together a basic first aid kit including plastic gloves in case I have to deal with blood -- because of the risks of AIDS.

And For Anna it is the chance of a lifetime. She said: "I have always wanted to go to a third world country so I could appreciate my life here a little more. But after I come back I hope to go to Sheffield University to study English literature and philosophy, or maybe psychology. I am waiting for my A-Level results at the moment though, so we will have to see."

To go to Africa Anna must raise around £1,800 for the cost of books to use for teaching. She has already had some help from the Global Education Centre and from sponsorship, but would be grateful for any donations. To help call 337946.