Taxet
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- Posted: Fri, 01 Feb 2013 08:50:15 +0000
Captain Rammstein
Just the thread I need biggrin I apologise for my lack of Finnish spoken, for I am even below a beginner xD However I have a few questions for anyone living in Finland if they will be prepared to help me c:
You don't need to apologize. The Finnish Gaians here understand that Finnish is indeed a tough one, and thus use of English serves as a proper "common ground" where ideas can be exchanged with only the slightest chance of misunderstanding. Thus, I will be answering your questions to the best of my abilities.
Captain Rammstein
I am moving to Finland this year, in August, and I was wondering how hard it is to find a job? I have a place to stay sorted, but I don't fancy just sitting around doing nothing when I am capable of working! Failing that, is University hard to get into? And are there any courses taught in English?
You're moving to Finland, but which city? See, you might just have a better chance of finding work in Helsinki, than some smaller town. That said, finding work in the smaller towns is not impossible, but I believe that if your skills in Finnish language are pretty basic, it might be for the best to work in the bigger cities. Helsinki, Turku or Tampere are the ones I'd recommend the most. Work is to be found, but depending on your education, the economy might make it tough for you to find anything. Don't get discouraged though!
Universities are not that hard to get in to. You just need to study, study and perhaps study even more. If Universities don't want you, there's always the Polytechnics (or as they're preferred to be called "Universities of Applied Sciences" ) that take in people with a tad lower requirements (like me for example!). That said, it doesn't mean it's any easier, it just means that their approach and goals are a bit different from the more scientific Universities. Most universities (both the scientific and the applied sciences ones) offer courses and other possibilities to study in English for both people from- and outside Finland.
Captain Rammstein
I would also like to ask if you know of anyway I can learn Finnish, without it being too difficult, as I point blank refuse to go to a country and not speak the language, even if I speak in the most basic of terms.
Depending on your native language, I'd recommend Swedish first. Finland is bilingual, so if it's easier for you to learn Swedish, that might be a better start for you. However, once you get setteled in here, there are courses that teach Finnish to refugees and immigrants in most, if not all, high schools or community colleges. I attended one of their lessons once and from what I can tell, they teach you pretty much all you need to know about the basics of Finnish language and the Finnish culture. Once you get the hang of it, then you just need to use the language whenever you can, and before you know it you'll be fluently ordering stuff from restaurants and such, and doing all sorts of things. biggrin
Captain Rammstein
Infact any general information would be handy biggrin !
In that case I believe you might be finding what I just said useful. If not, then don't hesitate to ask for more information and I'll see what I can do!