With desire to experience Finnish Education. But...

[EJfilipinostudent]

Hi everyone! Mabuhay!

I have been trying to make a post in this very helpful website, but may times unsuccessful. Fortunately, this computer's server finally allowed me to do so

Well, there were many previous posts of this sort, but I think each one's concern is unique.

To introduce myself, I am Eugene John Balmores, a Filipino. With luck, I was accepted to the International Master's Degree Program in Neuroscience (MNEURO) at the University of Helsinki. I really want to pursue the degree in Finland. That's why I have been searching the internet, looking for helpful sites and information. I already know a little of the people, climate (very cold?), and high regard to Finnish education. I also know of the requirements for the student residence permit, and I am currently fixing them.

My main concern at the moment is that my family's resources may not be enough to finance my living expenses (from the previous posts, this indeed is a major problem). I understand that one can be employed part-time during the semester, even summer, but looking for a job is very hard. But I guess, this won't dishearthen me and stop trying.

My plan is to apply, say to a cleaning company or english day care center, before filing my student permit application. I am hoping to declare the earnings which I will be getting from the job as part of my funds to finance my studies (besides the 6000euro in my bank account, which I am struggling to raise). Is this plan allowed at all? Or will there be problem/confusion on whether I should apply for working or studying permit?

With regard to the plan above, IF it is indeed allowed to secure a part-time employment prior to student permit application, do you guys know of companies who directly hire people from abroad? I searched for cleaning companies (ISS, SOL, L&T) but aside from unavailability of pages in English (very hard to translate each Finnish word, one at a time), I think that it will be hard to get in if I don't know someone (or if you can refer me, that will be nice ). What are other options for a non-Finnish speaking student regarding work? Links to job posts and companies will make things lighter for me.

Any help from you guys will be MUCH appreciated! Options, comments, reactions are very welcome.

Thanks very much!

Lämpimin terveisin,
Eugene

P.S. Any Filipinos out there? Humihingi ako ng tulong sayo kababayan! Kahit anong trabaho, papasukin ko. Tatanawin ko itong napakalaking utang na loob buong buhay ko... SALAMAT!

[interleukin]

You are allowed to work a certain amount of hours per week on your student visa without needing a working visa. The problem is finding a job, as you know it is almost impossible. No one will hire you from abroad, and it is very unlikely that anyone will hire you once you are here either. If you manage to find a part time job, that is great a miracle. You should make plans for not finding any part time job during your stay here. If you can raise the money to still be here even without any extra income, then you should go ahead and come here as a student. If you will not manage here without extra income, you should really consider not coming here at all. It is so sad when students have to stop in the middle of their studies because they have no money and they have to go back home without a degree. That has happened before, so please consider this.

[Pursuivant]

. I am hoping to declare the earnings which I will be getting from the job as part of my funds to finance my studies (besides the 6000euro in my bank account, which I am struggling to raise). Is this plan allowed at all? Or will there be problem/confusion on whether I should apply for working or studying permit?

You are coming here to study, so you have to prove the 6000 euros. Thumb rule => Don't confuse the drones. If you start getting imaginative they're easier to say "no" if they think your objective is something else than to study. Neurosciences is in the medical faculty? You know theres a shortage of hospital staff, so that might be one way to secure a job. Of course to get anything but bedpan service you need to be able to speak the language.

Interleukin is givcing you the "positive outlook" of the job situation. It isn't as bad as it was in the 90's but its tough.

[EJfilipinostudent]

Thanks very much for the replies!

@Interleukin: I'll also be making plans for not finding any part time job during my stay there as a student; my family can pull strings, but I don't want to be such a burden that's why I'm hoping for the better option. Raising the money is still hard though.

@ Pursuivant: Thanks alot for the suggestion. Especially for the encouragement. My background is on molecular biology and biotechnology research and the Neuroscience program will apply my training to neuroscience research. Will do any job to reach my dreams, even cleaning bed pans.

God bless you guys.

[rinso]

my family can pull strings

in the present situation that probably is the only realistic option for a non-lingo foreigner to get a job.

[Amandine.K]

Don't count on English-speaking day care so much as most of them only hire people full time or as subtitute...

[Pursuivant]

My background is on molecular biology and biotechnology research and the Neuroscience program will apply my training to neuroscience research.

Well, that is one specialist field Finland has companies, so of course look for something "in your field" rather than grunt jobs. You get more easily hired to a place you need to speak with the molecules

[sammy]

My plan is to apply, say to a cleaning company or english day care center, before filing my student permit application. I am hoping to declare the earnings which I will be getting from the job as part of my funds to finance my studies (besides the 6000euro in my bank account, which I am struggling to raise). Is this plan allowed at all? Or will there be problem/confusion on whether I should apply for working or studying permit?

Hi,

If you mean "can I cover part of the 6000€ requirement by showing the authorities that I already have a part-time job" - AFAIK this would not be possible, I'm afraid, even if you'd be lucky enough to secure such a job. Have a look at the http://www.migri.fi website, and what they say about non-EU student permits... especially this bit:

Earnings from part-time work during term-time may be included in the amount of disposable funds required for a residence permit at the discretion of the authorities. This is not, however, possible in the case of a first residence permit.

Of course this does not mean that looking for a part-time job would as such be a waste of time, it's just that you can't really profit from a possible part-time job when it comes to applying your first residence permit.