You can load a module with the same name in another location by creating a module like the one below. Please use it when you cannot tamper with PYTHONPATH. (Py2 / 3 operation confirmed)
import os
import sys
if sys.version_info[0]>=3:
from importlib import reload
sys.path.insert(0,os.path.abspath(os.path.join(__file__,'..','..','..','real')))
import hello
reload(hello)
full sample: https://github.com/cielavenir/import-transfer