the cost of being allowed to work in korea

working in korea has been a wonderful experience for me. i have been to about 16 or so countries on my vacations, i have made some of the best friends, i have had a great time as a teacher (both at the preschool and university levels) and i have even met the love of my life.......but every year things just get more expensive and frustrating when renewing our E2 visas. (this is the working visa for english teachers.) let me give you an idea of how much it cost me last month:

my criminal background check sent from canada.................$40
my criminal background check stamped at the embassy.......$50
my renewed E2 visa fee with multiple re-entry status..........$75
my medical check...........................................................$90

total cost to renew my E2 visa.........................................$255

this is not sponsored by my workplace and therefore, comes out of my pocket.

koreans love to tell us that we make a lot of money as teachers and often ask us outright exactly how much. Although we do make a good amount, we do give up some things by living this far from home. i will miss the birth of my first niece/nephew in a couple of weeks, loved ones have passed away and milestones are being celebrated all without my presence---just to name a few. Some taxi drivers and some belligerent old people seem to enjoy telling us that we make too much money and like trying to put us in our place. i only wish my korean was advanced enough to explain the sacrifices we make.