Carly Cunningham
- Age: 22
- Address: London
- Work: Primary Teacher, Roding Primary School, Essex.
- From: Victoria / Australia
How long have you been at your school?
I have been at my school for almost three weeks now and am finding it both challenging and rewarding! The school system is quite different in a number of ways, but once you get into the routine, it becomes much easier!
Why did you decide to teach in the UK?
I decided to teach in the UK as I wanted to travel around Europe and found it was a perfect way to combine my teaching and travelling. By working during the school term and travelling on weekends and holidays, I am able to gain experience teaching in a different country and see a different part of the world.
Are you having the kind of teaching experience you expected?
When I arrived I was looking at doing Supply teaching as I wanted the freedom to travel whenever I wanted to. However, after two days filling in at a school, they offered me work for a month covering a lady on maternity leave. I have found this to be a great experience as I have started to bond with the students and it has been nice knowing where I am going, rather than waiting for a phone call each day. It has also allowed me to make a smoother transition into the UK education system.
How was your transfer to the UK?
My transfer to the UK was pretty easy. I was picked up from the airport by a taxi company TimePlan uses and they dropped me at my door. While I found it a bit hard living by myself in a new country for the first week (housemates hadn't arrived yet), I am now really enjoying it and finding it easy to work out this new life.
What are you enjoying the most?
I am enjoying the new friends I have made. We have already planned a couple of trips together and I can't wait to get over to Europe and start exploring. We have been out every weekend taking in all London has to offer and it has been amazing!
Top Tip for the move over?
Don't give up the first week when all you want to do is head back home to familiar territory! While the first week can be really hard and emotional, remember you are jet-lagged and doing everything at the opposite time to Australia (night is day), and it takes a few days to adjust. Get out there and start exploring as soon as you can and you will LOVE it!