työharjoittelu - looking for a place to intern

[Osbi]

I'm now enrolled in an employment office "Finnish" course, in which, after ONE week of Finnish practice, I'm to find a work practice place where I can continue for the next 7 weeks. Starting Monday. I don't know what company is going to want to hire (without pay, of course), someone who can't speak decent Finnish enough to even ask them to hire me. I guess that maybe this työharjoittelu practice is fairly common here in Finland (maybe I'm just thinking from my USA viewpoint, going to a grocery store and asking : can I work for you for free for a while? sounds bizarre), but even here it is usually common for people who have skills/education in a certain trade, and, who are from Finland, and therefore will not be a total burden the whole time by not speaking Finnish well.

Has anyone had any experiences in this, or suggestions on who might give me a place to work? The job must be something where I can use Finnish often, not stocking shelves or anything in which I won't be practicing my verbal Finnish skills. I was thinking maybe a library, or a large office like Nokia, Helsingin Sanomat, YLE... somewhere they could have some menial tasks for me to do. Or something. All suggestions are welcome, and unfortunately I don't have much time. BTW, I have almost a decade experience as a secretary/admin. assistant, so I'm not someone who's unskilled. Just language-impaired.

[Bella]

You have to look yourself for a place. Try to apply CV, send them email or the fast way is to call them. I sent 5 months ago more than 60 Cv in 2 weeks, and I found a place. I know that if you'll not have a place the teacher will help you. Ask your teacher about more information. You can try Helsingin kaupunki.
http://www.hel.fi/wps/portal/Helsinki/A ... t_minen/Ty_/
or mol.fi, monster.fi, oikotie.fi
Trust me, even without money is quite difficult to find a place.
Wish you luck.

[raamv]

Helsinki Library?
http://www.infopankki.fi/into/ ?
Helsinki times magazine?
Tourist office as a guide ?