A WOMAN from Redditch has given up friends, family and even hot water to travel half way around the world to teach English in Indonesia.

Becky Wilkins, together with Lucy Nadin from Hopwood, left the UK at the end of March to begin a 12 month contract in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

Becky said: “We had no previous experience teaching and knew very little about moving to a foreign country.

“Having reached a point in our lives of not knowing what direction to take and seeking a new challenge, some excitement and satisfying our need to see the world, we just decided to go for it.

“We quit our jobs and left behind family and friends to experience the lifestyle of another culture, something we’ve both wanted to do for a very long time.”

The pair, both 23, completed an intense online TEFL course, an essential qualification for teaching overseas.

Following several applications, email communications and telephone interviews, they finally settled on an offer to teach in the island of Java, home to the country’s most populated cities.

Becky added that a large part of the decision to give up everything was the current economic climate.

“We decided this was the best option available as well as something that would provide us with a once in a lifetime experience,” she said.

“The journey so far has been very intense but also highly rewarding and satisfying.

“Our lifestyle has dramatically changed. Even the minor things you take for granted back home become something of an obstacle here.

Becky added: “We’re constantly facing new challenges, finding ourselves in testing situations but despite them all, we’re both really enjoying the experience.”