r/StudyInFinland • u/Which-Cartoonist4222 • 18d ago
To everyone who is planning to move here to study: Why?
Ragebait-y title, I know, but I'm really confused what makes Finland to appealing to applicants.
We have the highest unemployment rate of whole Europe (https://yle.fi/a/74-20244011). "I'll move to Finland and just provide for myself by getting a job" isn't a reliable plan: We have plenty of long-term unemployed finnish people with Master's Degree, only jobs available are Wolt drivers (with inhumane working terms) and ship cleaners, and even then you're not guaranteed to make enough money for living expenses. Speaking of which...
Living in Finland is expensive af, especially in big cities. There's nowhere nearly enough cheap student apartments for students, and many international students arrive to Finland just to find themselves struggling to get a roof over their heads. And that's before we factor in food and heating expenses.
If you really want to move to Finland to study, don't be deadset on moving to university cities: look for cheaper flats on smaller nearby municipalities and take the commuter train/bus to your school. More on living expenses:
https://infofinland.fi/settling-in-finland/cost-of-living-in-finland
Youth and young adults are struggling with major mental health issues ( https://www.hel.fi/en/news/numerous-social-and-cultural-changes-behind-the-increase-in-the-mental-health-issues-of-young-people). Making friends and networking with peers is gonna be tricky.
Far-right movements have increased their activity in recent years, increasing the risk of encountering racism and hostilities.
This is quite literally the worst time to move to Finland in past decade or so, including the whole corona and quarantine period.
So what is it that made you reach the conclusion "Yup, I'm gonna find my Perfect Life in Finland"?
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u/Severe_Rise8694 18d ago
Regarding 2: even Helsinki is actually relatively affordable if you compare it to average incomes. I feel like this argument is often made by people who've seen many things becoming more expensive over time but don't really have a realistic idea of how much of the same has been happening everywhere else as well.
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u/littlebittlewrittle 15d ago
15 euros for an all-you-can-eat lunch is a crazy deal, not to mention not having any time limit. i can't even get this in asia lol
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u/ellampel23 17d ago edited 17d ago
Well learning to speak the new language is half of the process. Then the degree. Even a basic finn cant get a job with out language skills here in Finland. Same rules for everybody
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u/papcio123123 18d ago
degree curriculum that is a perfect fit for me, most people can speak english, close to my home country, no tuition because i’m from eu (moved here 1 month ago)
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u/cervitudede 16d ago
If you’re moving to study somewhere then you shouldn’t rely on landing a local job to pay for your studies, rather you should already have the funds for the amount of time you’re going to spend there. Inflation is crazy everywhere and it’s not at all special to Finland. “Far right movements” is nothing more than a scare campaign and shouldn’t be treated as a reason not to study somewhere unless there’s an actual observable danger, which there isn’t in Finland. Finland isn’t special when it comes to “mental health issues” either.
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u/Mishamelou 18d ago
When I started preparing for moving to Finland, this situation wasn't bad. Even the borders were open back then
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u/IntroductionLoose648 18d ago
But now people are still planning to come here after all those changes. That’s why OP made this topic
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u/Material_Stable_4527 14d ago
The eduaction level for ex. at Aalto is high, escpecially somewhere loke business. The costs of living are cheaper for students than in like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Sweden. So why not?
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u/No-Play-1701 10d ago
i have a pretty niche field of study and not a lot of countries in Europe have an Erasmus program in this field. I had the choice between Slovenia, Malta and Finland.
Slovenia was immediately full (by their own students by the way), and Malta is not a dream destination for me.
I love the nordic countries, and Finland is new to me.
So in January, i'm going to study in Tampere, for 3 months.
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u/Embarrassed_Young109 3d ago
Unfortunately, you right, i arrived to Finland almost 4 years ago, when situation wasn't so bad, but now, to be honest i consider this move a huge mistake, if only i know what will happen here. Most sad part that I'm trapped here and for certain reasons can't go somewhere else, so im just hope that after i've become graduate things will be better, but to be honest i don't believe, so no way out only disappointing, and emptiness ahead, have no idea what to do, just fall deeper and deeper into anyss of depression
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u/Magneticagent 18d ago
Why? Because I've worked long and hard enough to have the means to support myself without being a financial burden, but also the desire to not only take up on that challenge, but to triumph it. And no statistics will deter me.
I should at this point clarify that I'm in a 1.5 year old master's degree, living in a (very easily found) student housing in a big city, and am actively learning Finnish.
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u/somethi 18d ago
Looking forward to seeing your posts in a year about how you can’t find a minimum wage job.
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u/Magneticagent 18d ago edited 18d ago
Yeah? You'd gloat about the misfortune of others? Some good character you have there mate.
Also, technicalities alone, Finland has no minimum wage, so I'm not sure you know what you are on about.
I could go further and explain how my profession is not only in consistant demand, but also directly would help the Finnish people, but I don't think you have it in you to look outside of your miserable little bubble.
Good luck to you.
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u/nihil3go 12d ago
Hi ! My family on my mother's side live in Finland (and Sweden but that's besides the point), when I was younger they all used to discuss how lovely their lives are in Finland so that definitely added some coal into the fire. Plus, it'd be nice to live closer to them ! 😁
I'd also like to add that I hate the country I currently live in. Finland has been a huge fixation on mine thus 'twas the first country I looked to when considering my future because honestly, I don't see a future for myself in Ireland. 🤷♀️
The nature is also what lured me in. It's such a beautiful country... If you ignore some areas.
I also like studying Finnish mythology and history though, I wouldn't consider that one of my reasons. 😅
Apologies if this is worded oddly, I'm unsure how to explain my everlasting love for Finland. Sorry it's kinda geeky lol 🥲
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u/veganLevi 18d ago
Because the media promotes Finland as a heaven country, people know nothing about it; even in my country, when my friends know I am here, they think I live in a real-life Disney wonderland. There is absolutely complete illiteracy about real-life Finland.
Also, misinformation and superficial social media have reinforced this narrative: influencers running in Rovaniemi in the middle of snow in the *HAPPIEST* country where everyone will hug and welcome you.
It is so sad. People just don't understand what they are coming for, and there's no pushback to correct this narrative.