Finland-anti foreigners attitudes?????

[pollymincheva]

I was a foreigner in Finland, not I am one in England. I don't understand why people whine. Of course finns will have priority in their own country. If you're not qualified or you don't know the language, no country will welcome you with open arms. It's not so easy for finns to find a job either. Do your research before you move to Finland. And take responsibility for crying out loud, it's not always everybody else's fault!

[Hank W.]

So, how is life in the Paradise?

[pollymincheva]

I never said England was paradise Hank. But I'm getting married so it's good.
Though I must admit I miss Finland terribly, especially my friends. Last summer was great Maybe I can come to Hki for my honeymoon

[Hank W.]

Why, you don't have your own horse? But atleast you got a carrier pigeon to take your checques to the bank?

[LostOzzie]

Hey everyone, I was around the forums in '06 before I moved back to Australia for a year. Guess what, I'm back now and I have some Vegemite with me

OK, I feel I need to comment on this too, even though so much has already been said. First, I'll explain my situation:

• - Bachelor's degree with a Masters by November

• - EU citizenship + Finnish residency thanks to my girlfriend

• - Jobseeking since arriving in May

• - Speak reasonable Finnish, understand more

So as you can see I'm quite the generic / stereotypical foreigner. I have experienced a lot in my time in Finland and I think that after stepping back and observing it from the outside and comparing it to Australia I can provide some commentary on some of the issues here.

Anti-foreigner attitude: It does exist here, but I think it is quite specific to the non-white immigrants. I have experienced no discrimination ever, but rather curiosity when Finns find out where I'm from. I know for a fact it's not the same for others: I live with Finns, talk with Finns, study with Finns and almost all of them are skeptical of the non-white foreigners. I'm not going to dive into the issue of why it's so but I will say it's the same in every single country where they immigrate to, Australia included.

Job seeking: I know all too well the difficulty of finding a job in Finland. I have work rights, residency rights, perfect English and good Finnish, a Bachelor's degree and some experience yet it's still hard to find work here. I jobseek daily and have done since I arrived. So far I've applied for I think 30 jobs and have only just now got an interview. Again I don't feel discriminated against because in most cases there are going to be more experienced applicants than me. I'm not going to sit around and bitch about how hard it is - I think the best person for the job should get it, Finn or foreigner.

Rights & obligations of Foreigners: First off: If you are going to move to Finland or any other country, learn the native language. Do not come here with moist eyes and your hand out like so many seem to be doing. If you don't have enough respect for the native people to learn their language you need to leave, simple. I find it very frustrating that people, mostly refugees, who are taken in by Finland and given everything show so little regard for their new home that they are unable to even talk to the supermarket checkout operator. No wonder there is such a negative attitude towards them, they don't give a f***.

In line with the above, if you are a genuine person who wants to work and contribute to Finland then Finland should contribute something to you - like healthcare and unemployment benefits. If you are only looking for a free ride then you should move on. The people of Finland have worked hard to create this country and even for their faults, it is THEIR country you want to become a part of, so if you are only going to be a drag on the nation then you deserve to be looked down on, as harsh as that sounds. I have a KELA card and I feel I deserve it. I have paid my tax and worked here. I obey the rules and have adapted to the Finnish way of life. I even pick up trash that others leave around because I don't want to see Finland turn into the UK. I don't mean to sound holier-than-thou but I make an effort.

Finnish Foreign Legion: This one made me laugh, I think if we could mobilise all the good-for-nothings and throw them at Russia we could at least get Viipuri back. Like in South Park "Operation Human Shield" In all seriousness though, I would fight for Finland if I could / was needed to. I feel a sense of respoinsibility to defend my country and slowly, Finland is becoming that. Too bad they won't let me into the army without citizenship!!

/end rant.

[Oombongo]

I find it very frustrating that people, mostly refugees, who are taken in by Finland and given everything show so little regard for their new home that they are unable to even talk to the supermarket checkout operator. No wonder there is such a negative attitude towards them, they don't give a f***.

Actually most of the refugees do speak pretty good Finnish since they got no other choice. I assume when you use word "refugees", you mean Somalis, Iraqis and Kurds who have pretty good Finnish skillz
It is a significant % of foreign immigrants (including me) whose Finska language skills are not up to the par. The reason(s) are:
1. 90% of Job errands are in English language
2. Laziness
3. No cookies after every Finnish lesson

[mrjimsfc]

Ooooh....LostOzzie is a hard a$$! I think I like that.

[Faithful]

It does exist here, but I think it is quite specific to the non-white immigrants. I have experienced no discrimination ever, but rather curiosity when Finns find out where I'm from. I know for a fact it's not the same for others: I live with Finns, talk with Finns, study with Finns and almost all of them are skeptical of the non-white foreigners. I'm not going to dive into the issue of why it's so but I will say it's the same in every single country where they immigrate to, Australia included.


Hey Hush your mouth since being a white Australian means you are European and remember according to international law a country should never allow INFLUX a company must be able to PROVE that the job they are giving foreigners can't be done by a fellow FIN due to lack of qualification or the natives just look down upon it.
All said and done FINLAND is still growing most finns are without jobs so you or foreigners should be able to accept it they are given jobs after no FINN is qualified LIKE it or not FINNS must be given 1st priority then EU and Americans not of colour never then EU and Americans of colour then Asians for example black finnish trained nurses are left and the filipins are taken. Why we all know it is because of they are of fair skin and straight hair. THIS IS THE REALITY Also before most foreigners expect 100% treatment from finns kindly sit down and ask yourself if you would be able to receive 40% from your own countries all human beings are BIAST why not FINNS
So the world believes dark skins are underdogs so when you get into that plane and decide to come where you are a minority where the doctrine of you being TREATED as an underdog was created then you better be prepared to face it and deal with it.
Learn how to sumsalt and give what they need and can't offer themselves.

[EP]

finnish trained nurses are left and the filipins are taken. Why we all know it is because of they are of fair skin and straight hair. THIS IS THE REALITY

And that is total BS. WE happen to know that Philippinos are recruited because they have a fairly good training and schooling, and they are used to the idea of working abroad.

[DMC]

If you are going to move to Finland or any other country, learn the native language. .... If you don't have enough respect for the native people to learn their language you need to leave, simple.

Learning a new language is a skill and, like all skills, some people are better at it than others, and some people have more time to devote to it than others. My own efforts to learn Finnish (courses, books, tapes, CDs, private tutor) have all failed. Yet I live here, work here, pay my taxes here, and I have a Finnish family. Of course life would be easier if I spoke Finnish but I don't and I still get by. Why should I leave?

[RSim]

What do you do in Finland, DMC?

[DMC]

I have two lines of business. One is software, the other isn't

[RSim]

I have two lines of business. One is software, the other isn't

Excellent.

Did you find it easy to get a job out there? Did you have a job lined up before moving there?

[Hank W.]

He moved to the boondocks and a job jumped out from the bush and bit him on the nose.

[USMC-Wife]

Do I even dare ask, how is the Finnish attitude towards the war in Iraq and USA:s involvement? I have the understanding that Finland is very anti-Bush, against the USA involvement in Iraq and elsewehre? So will my car be vandalized in Finland if I have a sticker of an American flag and the Eagle, Anchor and Globe on it?