Canadian and Bulgarian citizenship .. which one to use ... ?

[Lopatka]

Hello, I'm new to this forum and I have a question that's been bugging me from a long time -> Next month, I'll be applying to the University of Helsinki (bachelor - English philology). I have both Canadian and Bulgarian citizenships. Can someone share their oppinion as to which one would be better to indicate on my uni application? I have finished my high-school education in Canada, so I'll be sending them my Canadian diploma. However, I have heard that students from EU countries have more privilages than students from non-EU countries... I hope I expressed my question clearly. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Pursuivant]

I don't think its an issue with the university - you have Canadian papers so thats "Canadian education" and you won't need to show a language certificate I gather? However as Bulgaria is in the EU when you do your practical stuff registering your residency you are "Bulgarian" as Canadians are non-EU and require residence permits etc... As for benefits... hmmm... you're not a Finnish resident coming in for the purpose of study you won't be getting any student handouts, so I'd still be sure I had the money to live here (even the studying is free living is not) - other thing is you are not required to provide a health insurance, but if you aren't a resident of Bulgaria and not covered by any agreeement it might let you drop in between so better check that thing thoroughly as well.

[Lopatka]

Thank you for the answer :] Yes, they told me I won't have to do an entrance examination, which is kind of strange to me, but I'll see how it goes. I know that I have to have so money to go there and I've already planned it, however, I have read somewhere (can't remember where) that EU students are allowed to work part-time, while this is not the case for non-EU students ... is this so, or have I not understood again? :]

[Pursuivant]

Naah, non-EU students get a part-time work endorsement (25 hrs a week during schoolyear) and then also a requirement to show enough study credits to renew their RP. Any EU students have no restrictions - and Finland didn't impose any restrictions on Bulgaria and Romania when you joined so you're just a slob like one of us. Now then *finding* a job then is alltogether a different question... theres problem people even finding their internship position unpaid (required in the polytechnics) the economy hasn't rebounded quite yet.

[Upphew]

theres problem people even finding their internship position unpaid (required in the polytechnics) the economy hasn't rebounded quite yet.

We don't have internship culture, and by internship I mean trainee that is not paid or paid pennies. When you go to www.iol.fi and look what they suggest to be the trainee pay... it starts from 1400e for student with 30 credits. Also some TESs mention minimum wage for a trainee, iirc.

[CatNip]

Hi,

Canada& Quebec has a bilateral social security agreement with Finland http://untreaty.un.org/unts/60001_12000 ... 039942.pdf.

Sometimes this treaty gives better rights than EU citizenship, as (an EU citizen) student you are expected to belong to the social insurance scheme in an EU country, in your case Bulgaria. Quebec's treaty is even wider than Canada's, just could not find the link fast enough now.

Non-Eu students can work 25 hours/week during the semesters, during holiday period, it's totally free of limitations.
To my undersating nothing forbids you to enter to the counrty as an EU person, and then of course you can use your Canadian citizenship at the same time for other things in Finland, as long as you present the evidence on both citizenships at the same time.