Haworth student Danielle Roche jets off this weekend to spend the next few years teaching English to children aged 15 to 18 years old in Japan.

Despite being the opportunity of a lifetime, which she has dreamed of since she was young, it will also reunite her with her boyfriend.

The 24-year-old has wanted to teach in Japan since she heard of the Japan, Exchange and Teaching programme (JET) in 1998, but leaving her boyfriend Ben Davies was always a drawback.

Danielle hasn't seen Ben since March when he set off on a 4,000-mile charity trek across the Hyakumeizan Mountains in Japan to raise money for the Adopt-A-Minefield campaign.

But by a twist of fate Ben's trek will take him past the clay village of Kawagoe where Danielle will be staying and the pair will have just one day to catch up on the past five months.

After that their paths will not cross again until Ben has completed his climbing expedition in November.

Danielle, from South View, said: "I'm really looking forward to seeing Ben again, I'm really missing him, even though we still keep in touch through letters and e-mail.

Ben is giving a talk about his trip to the new JET teachers in Tokyo so we will get to spend the day together but after that I'll have to wait until he finishes his trip before I see him again." In the meantime the former Oakbank pupil has kept herself busy by practising using chopsticks and trying to learn Japanese phrases.

The initial period in the Senior Girls High School, where she will be teaching, will be a struggle for the graduate who doesn't yet speak the native language.

On her first day it is customary that she must introduce herself to her class of 40 pupils in Japanese, a feat she will find most nerve racking.

Danielle, who has recently finished an English degree at Lancaster University, said: "I have been practising introductory phrases in Japanese so I'll be able to speak to my class.

"I think I will enrol in a Japanese course when I get there though. I have already done some teaching in Spain last summer so it's not a new thing, but I will be nervous when I have to speak in Japanese.

"I found about JET when I worked at Bradford University in 1998. Ever since then I've wanted to go on it, but I had to wait until I'd got my degree. I've always been interested in Japan and its culture and education system."

Extra curricular activities will be a prominent part of the language teacher's role, as she will be holding after-school English clubs and be taking part in Japanese clubs and festivals.

Danielle is no stranger to foreign climates - she has spent her past few summers travelling and working through Spain.

Danielle added: "I will be living in a clay house, which has a Japanese style bedroom and a western lounge. I have brought a lot of souvenir gifts from Haworth with me because they are really into the Brontes and it's tradition to give people you meet presents."