any suggestions?

[michaelw]

i figured it was about time I finally got around to saying hello on here..... so hello i`ve been registered for a little while and figured i had better

and now I have a question. I am planning on eventually moving to Finland - I have visited several times, I have lots of friends there. now, I have a problem..... work. i am trained as a chef (and have a few years experience within the food service industry), but I also have experience with horses. I have recently been offered a placement in a riding stables locally to gain some horse care qualifications that I do not have (i have some knowledge but not huge amounts, which is where this course comes in handy). my dilemma is this - do I continue working in a kitchen and gain more experience or do I gain the qualifications with horses? what I mean is, which area would I be able to find work easier with - in a kitchen or with horses? I know that whichever it is, my Finnish would need to be better than it is. does anyone have any suggestions at all?

Thanks in advance, ladies and gents

Michael

[rinso]

I think you'll find most of the horse activities in the countryside. There knowledge of the language is even more important as in the city.
A foreign trained chef on the other hand gives a restaurant something that sets it apart from the competition. The language barrier might be a little less high.

[dave071061]

I would stick to the kitchens, There is very little commercial horse activity in Finland, and your chances of finding a position are slim with quite a bit of local competition.

[Neile]

I know of a South African chef who now has a great job in Finland...... but it took him 6 months and a lot of stress before he landed it.
Apparently there is a difference between chopping carrots in English and chopping carrots in Finnish.
I have been here 3 months and if there's one thing I've learnt it's this : Learn the Language!

[michaelw]

thanks for the advice everyone

i know my Finnish is going to have to be better than it is i was planning/hoping to get as much practice as I could before I eventually came over, which should make it easier. then i can hopefully improve once there.

[Evertony]

I also know of a foreign chef in a gastro pub (although they call it a restuarant) so yeah, totally stick with the kitchens.

[Mölkky-Fan]

I know a foreigner working full time at some stables in Karjalohja and he does not speak Finnish... does that mess up the whole argument here?