ryutombstone wrote:how cold is it typically in Ruukki in March?
Since it's not that far from the sea, the wind is one of the colding factors. I've searched for a chart of temperatures for you:
http://www.fmi.fi/weather/climate_6.html Since Oulu is about in the middle of the country, you do the math between the temperatures from the far south, Helsinki, to the far north, Sodankylä.
It'll probably be below freezing in March, even quite cold in the beginning but towards the end it'll warm up a little - providing it's not an extreme year, when it can vary from very cold to above freezing, rain and sleet.
In 2004, according to the Oulu city website, the mean temperature in January was -9 C. So in March it'll be a bit warmer than that but there is definitely going to be snow (Unless, again, it is a very warm year with temperatures growing above zero.. Or, if it doesn't snow until you're here. It's practically all ice at the moment.)
ryutombstone wrote:Will I need to take any medical precautions or anything before I leave?
No, nothing to worry about on that side.
ryutombstone wrote: how many people speak English over there?
Most of the younger people have been taught English since they were 10 years old. With anyone older, they might be well-taught on that side because of personal interest or because their companies have paid for courses. It varies a lot but generally speaking you'll be quite fine. You should concider that not all people are willing to speak another language, being too shy or whatever so the first one you stop on the street might not reply to your inquiries. And what I've been talking with my Finnish friends, it seems like they want to point out not everyone has actually learned the language even if they have been studying it at school...
I hope you'll have a good time and find what you're looking for
PS: Learn the language. It'll take years to be fluent, if what is even possible?
