I don't think it was the instructor course they were signed up for but the introductory open water course. They just dreamed of eventually being an instructor.

Hahahah

Well also you have to consider the plane tickets and living expenses such as hotels and transportation. OP could have just been referring to the price of the scuba diving.

Yeah I think the 500 dollars was just scuba diving costs, which probably isn't anywhere near the cost of the whole trip.

I don't know if you're trolling or just stupid.

The cost of living in Micronesia is way less than most of the "developed" world, add a 0 to the $500 and you get your equivalent vacation money elsewhere.

Not quite true. Yes, the cost of living is lower (though this is rapidly increasing), but hotels cater to tourists, and are often pretty expensive. $500 is probably just for the scuba diving course, not for his whole trip.

Can you not comprehend what was written I'm pretty sure the $500 was for the scuba diving

OP's name : Theregomylifesavings. I think its valid to assume that op did save $500 as life savings/ scuba diving lessons.

For the vast majority, the "follow your dream" advice is a terrible advice.

OP couldn't equalize due to the sore throat they had on that specific day, I'm assuming. They might clear their ears by swallowing.

They probably had to in order to pay for the trip.