Moving to Helsinki from Tallinn, to live, to study and work

kristiinafin · Post by **kristiinafin** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:02 pm

Hi!
I know that this "moving" subject is already discussed thousands times, but still I would like to ask your advice, guys (those who live here longer than me ): I live and work now in SEB Tallinn, get around 700 eur per month. Well Tallinn is cheaper to live in, the expenses are lower than in Helsinki. But the salary is too!
So I got idea to go to Helsinki and start first from the studies (I got into Helia Business School). I have really high aims, first to learn the language ( I know estonian perfectly, Russian very fluently and English is ok too).
What do you think, is it possible for me, young woman, 24 years old, to find good job after graduating? I dont have family plans yet nor even bf.
I know that Finland is not maybe the best in Europe, but for me, its ok, casue 1) its really near my home country, 2) culture is similiar and 3) opportunities are very good (to find job and to earn more).
Give me your notes/advices, even if they are not kind!

kiitos!

**Sponsor:**

sinikettu · Post by **sinikettu** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:19 pm

kristiinafin wrote:Hi!
I got into Helia Business School.
Estonian perfectly, Russian very fluently and English is ok too.
I dont have family plans yet nor even bf.
I know that Finland is not maybe the best in Europe, but culture is similiar.
kiitos!

I have a feeling that you will do just fine with those above points...
Pehaps....the bf will appear later..But take it step at a time.
Study hard at Helia...the Finnish laguage is not so far removed from Esti..so take that as next priority.
Make contacts ..enjoy your life here..and Turvetuloa.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:26 pm

Are you going to the International Business or BIT? Or the multilingual management assistant?? Well, Helia is pretty good as a school in general, there is a bit of a supply for tradenomi graduates but I'd think you have an asset with the languages. Getting a job in Finland you need to learn Finnish, thats right (Helia offers a lot of language courses so I'd guess you could get some side offering Russian tutoring even) and if you are looking for banking jobs then I'd suggest a crash course in Swedish. You're right that the cost of living is pretty expensive.

Culture similar

eesti rahvas on enämbi joomahullud

EP · Post by EP » Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:47 pm

I know estonian perfectly, Russian very fluently and English is ok too)

Like people have said, that is your asset: Russian and Estonian. Your language combination is very useful, and that should give you an advantage over other job applicats, also Finns. Of course providing those languages are useful in the job...

The Estonians I know (and who live in Finland) learn Finnish very quickly: Kids in three months and even adults in less than a year.

kristiinafin · Post by **kristiinafin** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:34 pm

Thank you all for useful notes

I have some extra questions. As I will have to learn Finnish and Swedish, I also must learn according to the Helia programme one of the following languages: Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian, English.
I know already English and Russian. But what do you think, to be more competitive, is it more needed German or Spanish?
My perks/plans are related to banking/business fields.

Thank you!

About bf... I think i had enought from relashions

Now only to study and study! And (sorry if i will offence someone here) first thing I write on my wall in my room with big big red letters (to see everytime i come home after school) DO NOT MESS WITH ARABS/MIDDLE EAST MEN/STUPID MEN.
sorry if i really offence someone, i just really experienced very bad things from all of them!

sinikettu · Post by **sinikettu** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 2:47 pm

kristiinafin wrote:.
I know already English and Russian. But what do you think, to be more competitive, is it more needed German or Spanish?
My perks/plans are related to banking/business fields.

STUPID MEN.

I would concentrate on the Finnish, business English and Swedish....you could play with either German or Spanish as a hobby..But in this part of the world they are second and third priority.
You might find that you over stretch your self if you take on too much.
Get Your Finnish and Swedish up to the same standard as your English first.
Take on the English business vocabulary I think that is available at Helia.

STUPID men are everywhere...so are girls who "were" silly.. but not anymore

the best teacher is experience.

kristiinafin · Post by **kristiinafin** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:05 pm

I agree with you!
I would say naive girls

EP · Post by EP » Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:12 pm

Russia is (again) the biggest trading partner of Finland. So Russian is most likely to get you a job. Finnish you will learn easily, and "virkamiesruotsi" is enough of Swedish.

To add Mandarin into your language selection would be a massive plus. But that is a bit much to ask, I think.

Among Finnish women who marry foreign men the highest divorce percentage is in those marriages where the man is of Middle-Eastern/Arab origin. I suppose the cultural gap is too wide.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:33 pm

kristiinafin wrote:STUPID MEN

Someone called?

kristiinafin · Post by **kristiinafin** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:58 pm

not someone particular

Yes i know the differences in culture are quiet big! I know some arab men, who were married to finnish ladies, they have babies but all of them are divorced and married now to russian/arab or whatever women they are accepted by.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:25 pm

I thought it was us Finnish men that had the trouble finding anyone that would take them...

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:26 pm

I guess German would be more useful as far as banking goes and if you have to do Swedish anyway then German may come easier than Spanish.

A friend of mine recently graduated from Helia (multilingual mgmt assistant) but she had already found a job well before she finished her thesis (she works for a food importer, part of a large retail group). She is also very fluent in languages (Finnish, Swedish, English, French and some Spanish) which is how she got her job. Like most recent graduates in Finland she was first hired on a temporary fixed term contract (I think it was a maternity replacement) but the company offered her a permanent position before her temporary contract expired. But if banks are your objective then "Scandi" is a must since the major Nordic banks all communicate in (sort of) Swedish.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:41 pm

Don't know if German and Swedish will support each other as being Germanic tongues, but definitely they should be "on the list".

kristiinafin · Post by **kristiinafin** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:12 am

penelope wrote:I guess German would be more useful as far as banking goes and if you have to do Swedish anyway then German may come easier than Spanish.

A friend of mine recently graduated from Helia (multilingual mgmt assistant) but she had already found a job well before she finished her thesis (she works for a food importer, part of a large retail group). She is also very fluent in languages (Finnish, Swedish, English, French and some Spanish) which is how she got her job. Like most recent graduates in Finland she was first hired on a temporary fixed term contract (I think it was a maternity replacement) but the company offered her a permanent position before her temporary contract expired. But if banks are your objective then "Scandi" is a must since the major Nordic banks all communicate in (sort of) Swedish.

Hi!

Is your friend finnish?
You know I ask that because I have heard from lot of people, that finns do not accept to work foregners just because they are not finns. How much is that true? I really do not want to believe it and I think all depends on person.

kristiinafin · Post by **kristiinafin** » Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:15 am

Hank W. wrote:Don't know if German and Swedish will support each other as being Germanic tongues, but definitely they should be "on the list".

I was thinking between German and Spanish. Cause a lot of people speak Spanish, and i know it is very big advantage to know it.
Swedish is out of question, I will defenetly learn it!
Banking yes is my field, but im opened to any offers especially when im student.
Im working now as investment specialist, funds, stocks and all that kind...
I really like my job and want to make career in that field.

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