GLOBE-TROTTING teacher Jackie Hunt has swapped lives with a teacher from Down Under in a bid to see the world.

Jackie, from Holy Trinity Primary School, in Darwen, stepped into the shoes of Fiona Ridley, 33, who gave up her job and home in sunny New South Wales, Australia, to come to East Lancashire.

The exchange programme even extends to friends and family to help the women get to grips with the different cultures.

Jackie, 29, who is staying in the town of Forbes, five hours drive from Sydney, said: "I am still in awe of the sheer size of the place. I am more or less living in the outback.

"The school is fantastic and I've been very impressed by its resources, which make life for teachers a lot easier. It's very hot here and I am quite missing the snow!"

"About the only thing we haven't swapped is our salary," said Fiona, who has taken up residence in Jackie's terraced house in the Whitehall area of town.

"I really didn't know what to expect when I arrived in East Lancashire. I couldn't even find Darwen on the map I had. At first, I felt a bit closed in, but the people have been great, very friendly."

The downsides of the programme, which started in January, have been far outweighed by the highs of slipping into a ready-made life.

Both teachers say the experience they are getting is invaluable.

Fiona said: "The differences in the use language has caused a few mishaps, the worst was when I said a commonly used Australian word in class and here it was seen as swearing!

"Both of us are getting the chance to travel without the expense or complications and we can keep in touch with our other lives by telephone and e-mail.

"I'm still coming to terms with having a backyard. There are four swimming pools near me and I miss my garden."

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