Some quick pointers.
First stick around. Check back and read the various topics here on waygook and Dave's eslcafe. This will be a good source of intelligence of what is going on in Korea, what to be aware of from business/hagwons/public schools, and even just what tricks can make life is easier. Skip the celebutard or sports news and browse this board.
Two, learn to read Korea. Not speak, that will come later. Learning to read Korean is not that hard. It is a phonetic language, not a pictograph like(some) Japanese or Chinese. A couple days of medium effort and you will get it. It will make life so much better.
Three. If you look, you can find it. Work on your google-fu skills. With some searching you can find out lots of information. Remember this is Korea many of the times it is going to be in Korean. Still you can be surprised at what you can find in English, if you try!
Check out
http://mashable.com/2011/11/24/google-search-infographic/Four, consider getting a map of your area for taxi rides. Rather then address learn to provide community (
yadayda-dong) and landmarks (blah blah marketeh). Another option is get a teacher to write basic area for you place on a paper. Keep some extra copies around.
Fifth, accept you are in a foreign country. This is not Kansas anymore. People are going to do things you think either strange, rude, or wrong. Things are not going to be like back home. What may be fine back home, may not fly here.
Sixth, be a touch paranoid. Be nice to your co-workers, but keep your private life private. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of Korean opinion. Mention you ex-boyfriend and that you had sex life. Bang, gossip, you are a slut. You went out for a drink last night, oh my gosh you are a drunk. There will by hypocrisy you will get asked personal questions all the time. By everybody from students to the drunk next to you at the bar.
Seventh, develop a thick skin. You will get grief from coworkers about stupid and minor things, hassled by the kids, called stupid by posters on some boards (that's me!). Learn to pick your battles and when to let things slide or even maybe you deserve it. Life is mean. It is going to be tough at times.
Eighth, try to be independent. As a newbie you will need a whole bunch of hand holding. Sometimes your coworkers will be great and helpful, other times they have their own life and can not be bothered to help. So expect forgetfulness and yayaing.
Ninth, prepare! Make sure you have some cash ready if things go bad. Consider getting paperwork for visa ready to be done or in the works. Operative phrase is "hope for the best, prepare for the worst".
Tenth, for the love of GOD, do not get a pet. Not yet. Yes, you may get lonely. Ya cats and dogs here in Korea suffer and need some help.
Do not get a pet unless you are stable and have some experience in Korea. Maybe after first year and you decide to stick around maybe then.
I could go on and will maybe later.
Last piece of advice. Pick up the Lonely Planet guide and browse it. You will find of interesting to check out and learn a touch about the culture and country. Some information may be dated or wrong, but it will give you a good start.
edited because of shameful spelling errors.
