Moving from Australia to Finland.

[Flossy1978]

And I think these days Aussies are just using a mixture of every single different form of English possible LOL. I've seen it on some of my Aussie friends' Facebook Pages.

I use Aussie English (ok, so it's a mixture of British and Aussie made up words). I refuse to intentionally use American English because I am not American. I got into trouble at work once because I was translating from Finnish to English documents for someone. I was told I needed to use the American spelling for words. Bla.... I did and do what I'm told, but only under duress LOL.

Often I get red lines under spellings of words in programmes etc, because I've not written a word the American way and I just laugh. And I get a great laugh out of Failbook.com and other sites where Americans can't grasp American English is not the original native language. It's funny. But I think Australians are leaning more and more towards American English everyday.

What does it really matter? Languages evolve.... Finnish isn't the same it was a 100 years ago.... Even my ex use to have to make 18 year olds rewrite their applications for a job where worked again because their Finnish grammar was just so horrific he refused to accept the papers. So obviously things are changing in the Finnish language too. Being simplified more and more, I've heard.

[Adrian42]

Finland is fine country for Finns. And while Australia might be dream country to some of us, they do just the same as op and think only the positive things. We have cold winter here, Australia has warmth and so all the bugs that can kill you will thrive... etc. etc.

But depending on the direction, there are two crucial differences:

1. Language
An Australian moving to Finland does usually not speak Finnish and might even be surprised that he has to learn it first for finding a job. A Finn moving to Australia already speaks a perfect English.

2. Jobs
Ten thousands of kids on a Working Holiday visa have no serious problems finding jobs in Australia for financing their stay - it might be not so nice fruit picking jobs, but it brings money. Finland has an extremely short berry/fruit picking season, and not many other areas where someone who doesn't speak Finnish can earn money.

Weather/Bugs/... make it a subjective choice which country you like more, but these two differences are the reason why migration in one direction is much harder than in the other.

[Flossy1978]

I agree...

It's much easier for a Fin to migrate to Australia than an Aussie to here.

You can also take into account the personality as a whole of Australians verses Fins which makes it easier.

It's much easier for a foreigner to make friends in Australia because it's a simple fact Aussies are a much more outgoing and social country than Finland is. More multicultural and easier at seeing a person just for who they are, not for where they come from etc. Often Fins have problems with befriending and accepting foreigners because of where they come from. This is not Finland's fault. It's neither right or wrong. The EU is forcing multiculturalism onto a nation which isn't use to it and probably in general doesn't want it. It's difficult for Finland. I don't blame Fins. Your culture is so deeply rooted and been around for how long??? It's hard to have to change.

As for the killer bugs and whatnot... Seriously.... If you as a foreigner migrate to Australia it is more than likely you will end up in the city areas where such dangerous creatures do exist, but not to extent of living out in the countryside or outback would they exist. I lived 11 years in Sydney. In three different areas. Two of them rather bush filled areas (at the time. Probably not anymore). I never saw the oh so deadly Sydney Funnel Web Spider for instance. And I spent my childhood outside playing barefooted etc.... I somehow managed to survive. As do the other 22 million Aussies living there now LOL. Bugs are the least of your troubles. I'd be more worried about the gangs running whole suburbs in inner Sydney, if I were to migrate to Australia LOL.

[Oombongo]

I'd be one of those ready to throw the towel and run away. In fact, I went to IELTS in Feb 2013 and boy Australian bureaucracy got some very tough requirements. 7 is mandatory in ALL modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

For which visa is 7 mandatory?

For the Skilled Independent visa (that allows you to do whatever you want in Australia) I was looking at only 6 in all parts is necessary.
But having 7 in all parts or 8 in all parts gives you bonus points.

Yep..skilled Independent category.

The thing is that you'd need at least 60 points in order to qualify for this.

So let's see:
Age 33 (well, about to be in July): 25
work exp (at least 8 years): 15
Educational qualifications (Masters from recognized institution): 15

55 points. Hence, points from language test may make up for those 5 points.

I do not have a Finnish Passport because I cannot learn the language.

I can tell from my experience that you don't need über lingo skills to clear the test at all. I know one Chinese fella, and he managed to clear the test somehow in spite of subpar skills. Me think you are underestimating yourself

[Adrian42]

I'd be one of those ready to throw the towel and run away. In fact, I went to IELTS in Feb 2013 and boy Australian bureaucracy got some very tough requirements. 7 is mandatory in ALL modules (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).

For which visa is 7 mandatory?

For the Skilled Independent visa (that allows you to do whatever you want in Australia) I was looking at only 6 in all parts is necessary.
But having 7 in all parts or 8 in all parts gives you bonus points.

Yep..skilled Independent category.

The thing is that you'd need at least 60 points in order to qualify for this.

So let's see:
Age 33 (well, about to be in July): 25
work exp (at least 8 years): 15
Educational qualifications (Masters from recognized institution): 15

55 points. Hence, points from language test may make up for those 5 points.

You are aiming for the highest visa (employer sponsored visa are much easier to get), and you have to compensate with better English skills for being one year too old.

That's a special case, and doesn't make 7 mandatory in general.

[wicked lewis]

I'd be more worried about the gangs running whole suburbs in inner Sydney, if I were to migrate to Australia LOL.

WOGS

[Flossy1978]

LOL.....

Or Workers Of Government Services.... Bla..... LOL.

I prefer the nastier version you wrote LOL.

Anyway, aren't WOGS meant to be just Italians and Greeks and whatnot? LOL.

All those inner Sydney suburbs, as in the Eastern suburbs close to the city are full of Asian gangs. Would they be considered WOGS? LOL.

[wicked lewis]

LOL.....

Or Workers Of Government Services.... Bla..... LOL.

I prefer the nastier version you wrote LOL.

Anyway, aren't WOGS meant to be just Italians and Greeks and whatnot? LOL.

All those inner Sydney suburbs, as in the Eastern suburbs close to the city are full of Asian gangs. Would they be considered WOGS? LOL.

Hmmmm their wogs Im sure you havent heard this word in a while. Are Lebs wogs? Cause there everywhere!!!

[wicked lewis]

LOL.....

Or Workers Of Government Services.... Bla..... LOL.

I prefer the nastier version you wrote LOL.

Anyway, aren't WOGS meant to be just Italians and Greeks and whatnot? LOL.

All those inner Sydney suburbs, as in the Eastern suburbs close to the city are full of Asian gangs. Would they be considered WOGS? LOL.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wog

[Flossy1978]

Oh yeah, Lebs are LOL.

But they have such great food..... Yum..... You can ignore the 'wog' aspect because of that LOL.

How can you tell the difference between Lebanese people and the Greeks? I can't. I had both as friends growing up. The Greeks were cool. And the Lebanese had Mums who made great food every time I visited their houses LOL.

I was right.... It is the Greeks and whatnot, not the Asians.

Do you remember the Aussie song 'The Nips are Getting Biggers?'. Such a cool song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnG1vqVlPGE

I bet even though it's not about the Japanese (Nips), they aren't allowed to play it anywhere anymore cause someone will take offense.... In this stupid 'politically correct' world we live in.