by Alex Storey

Created on: April 02, 2009   Last Updated: October 02, 2011

WORLD CUP SOCCER 2002! I had to be there and made damn sure I was by leaving England for Seoul 2 years early, just to make sure.

ESL was my free ticket to combine "The Greatest Show on Earth" with the opportunity to learn 3 new things. Then I arrived!

My first day at school had screaming kids everywhere. They had scooters in class, were roller blading in the corridor and did not want to learn English.

It was at the end of that day, I wished I had had some teaching experience and completed a CELTA before coming. I learned this lesson the hard way!

The contract I signed could have been off the back of a corn flake packet. Conned out of money immediately, no medical insurance, disappointed co-workers the school was clearly a Heath Robinson affair.

The lesson learnt here was one of planning. ALWAYS RESEARCH YOUR SCHOOL!

In my 3rd year, I won a 500,000 KRW travel voucher, for marketing myself in a competition on a teaching website. I uploaded my resume, pictures, passport copies, transcripts, diplomas and certificates for recruitment purposes.

This lesson is about giving yourself a web presence. Market yourself properly and you will attract the best jobs. I wish I had done this sooner!

My gold sovereign ring was nice to wear as a fashion accessory. With Queen Victoria's head on it and 22 carrots, it was international currency.

I knew that coin would come in handy one day. When I could not pay my bill in a posh restaurant, the coin rescued me and furnished the kitchen staff with a huge tip as well.

Simple lesson here is always having cash and plastic to fall back on. You are a long way from home and it is no fun being broke in Asia. $2000 minimum if you pick up a fine, meet medical costs or need to jump ship!

Koreans are extremely friendly and will invite you over in restaurants. What they do not tell you is they are eating a dog!

Accepted practice out there you may be sick learning this lesson. I recommend you fully translate your food, drink, and menu before leaving and learn these phrases by heart.

Athens and Sydney died a death after their respective Olympic Games. Seoul did after the World Cup. No more investment and schools merging, the energy had gone.

Sebastian Coe is helping to learn this lesson with continuity programs to vitalize London long after 2012 is over!

Summarizing my account I have to say the Korean weather was extreme. Bitter at Christmas, sweltering through August and in the rainy season my walls soaked right through the concrete of my bedroom, plus the Korean mosquitoes were invincible all year round.

I learned my three things I set out to learn. The Korean language, the Confucius culture and how to teach a class.

The main lesson I learned was learning how to learn!

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