Need help or the unbearable truth

[Pursuivant]

I tried looking for Chinese teaching jobs (my major), and even Spanish teaching jobs, BUT they want you to have doctoral degrees and years of experience (Doctoral degree, me?! I'll see the day!). I tried looking for translation jobs BUT you need Finnish (obviously). So if you can't speak Finnish, you won't find a job; and if you don't have at least 7000 euros a year you can't go to study (Finnish language and culture) in Finland Even when they say they require a particular language (for customer service for example) they mean an European citizen!

Well you don't need a doctoral degree to be a teacher? You need a masters degree, and a degree in pedagogy/teaching certificate (depending a bit what age group you teach and how formal it is). There are a few loopholes there if you read migri.fi on teachers especially and specialists. Now your only onus is to land a job like that, as you can see Chines and Spanish being the most popular world languages in demand in Finland... How about your husband then? What does he do and could he find a job? Because if you got a job you would have to make enough money to support the househusband (migri - income requirements) unless he can get a permit on his own merit.

Agreed, if Spain wasn't such a wreck I'd say it would be easier to get an EU foothold there and then work on 'Plan B'. Don't dismiss Norway or Sweden either, you are looking at a niche market.

[gfunho]

Whilst working in a library I came across a Finnish 'taikuri'. For the life of me I wish I could remember his name. Lovely fellow, speaks an incredible 7 languages fluently and travels most of the northern world performing for children. I have videos of him that I recorded myself but I still cannot for the life of me remember his real name or his performing name. Does that count?

I guess it counts !! Once in 3 years!

[cositagatita]

All this happens in every country, but Finland is definitely not shy on saying that is something is "from Finland" might be superior.

Hahaha, why yes! It must be like this in most proud countries. And well, Finland is doing pretty well indeed, so they should be just as proud as anyone else. I have experienced this in every country I have gone to before. Spain, England, China and Japan (definitely Japan).
It must be nice to have a homeland to love.

[cositagatita]

I think a lot of us here have heard it all, so we tend to be extreme sceptics(and we all lost our rosecoloured glasses long ago, kela only gives you the generic greycoloured ones).

Why?! Life seems to be in its higher splendor in this 21st century! There's lots to do and enjoy! Naaaah, I get it. Good luck with that though.
And yes, this is an old forum and some of us must have written all kinds of stuff; I understand the fact that you have heard it all.

[Upphew]

Why?! Life seems to be in its higher splendor in this 21st century! There's lots to do and enjoy! Naaaah, I get it. Good luck with that though.
And yes, this is an old forum and some of us must have written all kinds of stuff; I understand the fact that you have heard it all.

Tough love. We dish it out a lot. I'll rather see your dreams broken and bubbles burst than in Finland waiting to hear something from appeal on refused RP and leaking money left and right.

[cositagatita]

... and the same reasons that you have to disregard Sweden or other countries might be applied to Finland as well.

Well, I haven't disregarded Sweden. But I do confess to know very little about Sweden, much less that whatever little tips I think I know about Finland.
And btw, all countries I have actually been to have some (some more, some less) reaction to immigrants. Things can get pretty intense in China too. You can get beaten or they do the "accidental" spitting that ends up on your shoe.
In fact (and this is very sad somehow) I used to be treated like crap in the city I was born at least. If you are slightly whiter than most, they hate you; if you pronounce Spanish with no accent, they hate you; if you cut your hair in a certain way, they hate you.

Some people say we are lucky (we laowai in Shanghai) because we have the chance to be with lots of different people, who are -by the looks of it- here for very particular reasons and or are special (runaways, exiles, outcasts).

[kharnynb]

Speaking for myself, i do really love this country, and unlike most of the people here, i live far away from Helsinki.

However, I am a realist, and i think many people would hate it here.
Indeed, sometimes, we try to discourage, or atleast make people rethink their ideas, because we "know" that trying to move here would just cost a lot of money without anything to show for.

[cositagatita]

Whilst working in a library I came across a Finnish 'taikuri'. For the life of me I wish I could remember his name. Lovely fellow, speaks an incredible 7 languages fluently and travels most of the northern world performing for children. I have videos of him that I recorded myself but I still cannot for the life of me remember his real name or his performing name.

Swell! Do show us those videos! Supposedly, when a person commands a different language (let alone 7!) this gives the person a new cognitive structure in which ideas can wedge, and thus open up the person's linguistic horizons (and also means to a better comprehension of the world). It's a shame you can't recall his name.
I once met this 90 something year old man on my way somewhere in the subway. He was rather cute (which is not a common feature among old people here) and talked about his scientific research in America and Germany, where he lived for about two decades before returning to China. He is the kind of person who pretty much saw the transition from the Imperial China to the republic to the People's republic and whatever weirdness beyond. He had so much to tell but I had to go down and I couldn't take his number or something. I always remember him with most sympathy, and regret not having done something to catch up with him later.

And about everything else, perhaps we have swayed with the wrong steps. I feel that you are quite aggressive, and there is no need I tell you (well, I am almost begging here!). I would suggest -even if you say we are talking about me- that you just... chilled out a bit. You can choose to be less... you know!
I hope you do fine!

[Rip]

How is your everyday life then? What does your routine imply? This makes me most curious, truly.

I doubt I am a rarity if I say my calendar is ruled by the triumvirate of work, sleep and having couple of small children.

I will not completely rule out that some prevalent views and ideas on the society might have a rely old basis, but the effect of old folk music or pre-Christian history on everyday life otherwise for vast majority native Finns is effectively zero. Sure, a few can have hobbies and interest that differ in that respect, but even then having a reasonable job (if you want moderately nice material life style probably two reasonable or at least one pretty good job) will be rather more important than your ability to sing along Värttinä songs. Knowing Finnish old mythology will do very little to get you integrated compared to knowing the local language.

[cositagatita]

Since everyone is asking so much (although I had hoped it wasn't necessary to say this much), my husband works as a business manager. He does sales and customer service, and supervises the staff so to make sure they are pushing products, etc. He also has to supervise the making process of machinery (especially because it's all made by Chinese hands). The company is about plastic goods: selling the machines that produce molds, the molds and the very product too.
He has also worked as a translator before, but that's because you pretty much end up doing anything you can to earn money.
Whereas I am unfortunately a spoiled brat. I have studied and studied and have practically no formal employment history. And, even so, still no master degree for example, which I know you would recommend since in most northern European countries higher education can be pursued by anyone, sometimes is for free and sometimes is just ridiculously inexpensive, and thus I would need to show that I can compete with all of those really adequate for the job.
So of course I understand that certain things cannot be won, because of the lack of necessary skills; and that your interests can be amusing to you and yours but not enough, and not at all a way in. As I said before, I learnt this with China in the most bone-crushing fashion.
Maybe I will make it as a simple passer-by one day. Those holding Venezuelan nationality still can go for about 3 months with only a landing visa. This might change in the future, but for now...

In any case, I think I have achieved something here; I made a bait and most people bit it. I was advised to give you a chance to show your response, so to have an idea and start forming new prejudices ("prejudice" seen as a previously conceived idea, not like pride and prejudice sort of stuff) and start dismissing old ones.
It has been quite educative and I appreciate your comments (even if a little truculent at times) and thank you all!
I hope you all do well in the future and try to keep your spirits up.

And I don't resent those who find me or my tastes odd (I am no Buddha but what's with the judging!); I know it ain't personal and that you probably wouldn't have said it on a first encounter or anything.

See ya! Lots of...

[Upphew]

And about everything else, perhaps we have swayed with the wrong steps. I feel that you are quite aggressive, and there is no need I tell you (well, I am almost begging here!). I would suggest -even if you say we are talking about me- that you just... chilled out a bit. You can choose to be less... you know!

Welcome to a land where "Management by perkele" still lives strong.

[cositagatita]

Welcome to a land where "Management by perkele" still lives strong.

Hahahaha!! Jeez!!

[justaguy]

Swell! Do show us those videos!

I always considered uploading them but I am not quite sure I really have the right to... a magician's tricks and acts are his entire career and he seemed pretty secretive of a lot of things. Sure I wouldn't be exposing anything most definitely but even then I wouldn't have the permission from him and I don't know how these things work. Not only that but I have no idea what I would even label the video as I cannot remember his name. I just know that he spoke mostly Finnish, Swedish and Russian. But also German, French and English and Norwegian.

Speaking for myself, i do really love this country, and unlike most of the people here, i live far away from Helsinki.

However, I am a realist, and i think many people would hate it here.
Indeed, sometimes, we try to discourage, or atleast make people rethink their ideas, because we "know" that trying to move here would just cost a lot of money without anything to show for.

I hate the North. It makes me depressed, I love the South. I think if anyone has an issue with Finland they should move. Not countries, but at least towns for a start. Move further South, and travel to the North for a 'Holiday'.

And about everything else, perhaps we have swayed with the wrong steps. I feel that you are quite aggressive, and there is no need I tell you (well, I am almost begging here!). I would suggest -even if you say we are talking about me- that you just... chilled out a bit. You can choose to be less... you know!

Welcome to a land where "Management by perkele" still lives strong.

*Latua Perkele

(fixed that for you)

[biscayne]

Yes, I always choose the countries I move to based on magic and black metal, I find its the only way to go.......

Seriously, we sympathize, especially those of us fortunate enough to be born in "ok" countries. But without an eu passport and the "right" qualifications, can't see you getting to Finland.

[cositagatita]

It's funny how everyone notices only the "unpleasant" things first, almost paying no attention to any other comment. For example the black metal thing.I don't know what's between you common folks and metal, and it ain't my issue. Black metal is not even in my top fave music; if anything I am more of a XTC fan and there's much more chances of listening Bach or visual kei Jpop than a whole metal album (unless it's a classic). And I am not even so crazy about concerts anyhow; the noise always gives me a long headache and "kids" start to collide against each other sometimes, which I never understood.

But, as I said before, it's been educative. I asked some Finnish friends (and a Norwegian and two Swedish and three German friends) to check out this forum and they looked a bit embarrassed. Apparently, we are the lucky ones! (I would have never guessed, frankly!). "Overworked and or frustrated guys with a very toxic sense of humor, if any" they said. I reckon I wouldn't have chosen those tags but this [angry talk] does indeed remind me of my high school days, only... most of you must be older than I am... maybe a decade older! (Like 30 something?)
I still believe (and I am not the only one) that Finnish people who I have met in here and in Venezuela (I know! In Venezuela) were much nicer and smooth at times, and real fun (without being drunk) at other times. And if it is like you say, that they choose to be this way and live this way (somewhere else)... I have then been very fortunate and met some extraordinary people. (Literally extra-ordinary it seems). How wicked is that!!!

I do reckon it must be healthier for you lot to vent here. Mmhmm, do what you must; you are under a nickname anyways. If you feel like better men afterwards...