Studying French at secondary school was a game-changer. I fell in love with learning about a diverse culture, as it sparked my curiosity and challenged me to think about things from different perspectives.

That feeling never left so, when it was time to go to university, I ensured that I chose a degree that allowed for a period abroad. I suppose you could say I was already primed for teaching abroad.

Fast forward a few years and I’ve worked in multiple continents and have taught students from all over the world. But throughout my journey, some things have remained constant. Here are some things I’ve learned.

1. Teaching abroad is a lesson in itself

Teaching internationally is about so much more than sunny beaches and getting more stamps in your passport (although that isn’t to say you don’t get that!). In addition to improving your teaching practice, it is a challenging experience that will encourage you to grow professionally, as well as personally.

Nothing tests your mettle more than getting in a predicament abroad. On my first day of teaching in Taiwan, I ventured out to a nearby café stand for lunch.

I was far from the tourist areas; nobody spoke English and all the menus were in Mandarin. I had forgotten the word for “chicken” and there was no other café nearby.

I was hungry, so resorted to flapping my arms and may even have clucked, to let the server know what I wanted. I was glad no colleagues were present, but I was also glad to leave with a tasty chicken lunch.

These kinds of situations all fall on a spectrum but from inconsequential things like getting your lunch right, to having to sort accommodation and paperwork on a different continent, you soon learn how to bounce back.

2. Student relationships are everything

Like everyone in education, my ability to relate with my students is important to my success as a teacher.

I have taught at an international school in Dubai, a state middle school in Taiwan, and in Italy, I led an intervention class for excluded teens.

These were three distinct types of schools but one point in common: children are the same all over the world. And whether it was a private international school or disenfranchised teenagers, they all liked my introductory lesson about me and my family.

There were no special effects; it was a simple PowerPoint presentation. But showing them who I was and what my values are, put them at ease and meant they were more willing to take part in class. Teaching is most enjoyable when I can build a rapport with my students.

3. Cultural awareness matters

I believe that learning to be culturally aware makes me a better teacher. Working abroad gives you time to gain a deeper understanding of another culture, and this is crucial for networking confidently and building relationships with colleagues and students.

Of course, what may be okay in an Asian classroom may not fly in a European one, and vice versa. All of these things will require compromise.

I learned this the hard way in Taiwan when I intervened as students began insulting an overweight classmate, while my co-teacher did nothing and even translated some insults.

I could not say anything to her in case I made her lose face - tantamount to insulting her in Taiwanese culture - and impact our cooperation in the future.

Instead, I saw this as an opportunity and organised a class discussion and a whole-school assembly on Anti-bullying Week in the UK.

4. Positive change is possible 

My favourite teacher superpower is changing children’s lives positively. A decade has passed since I taught in Taiwan, but I have kept contact with a few students.

One of them contacted to let me know she was moving to Canada and thanked me for inspiring her to continue learning English.

What you may think is just a fleeting, curricular interaction means much more to a student. For a foreign student, your work can broaden their world and the range of possibilities that are available to them.

Sheila Atuona is a primary teacher specialising in literacy, based in London. She previously taught MFL in Taiwan, Italy and Dubai, as well as in the UK