Hello! :D It's been my dream for a while to live abroad in Finland for a few years after I complete graduate school. I was wondering how vital it would be to speak Finnish fluently; I'm hoping to work as a pharmacologist someday, and I am planning on becoming fluent in Finnish by that time, anyway, for work. But, as far as socializing goes, would people mind talking at a slower pace or speaking English, if necessary? I'm only fourteen, so as you can tell this is a long way away for me, lol. Also, will I be ostracized if I date a Russian in Finland? I have many Russian friends and really like the culture. (And guys, lol!) I'm part Finnish myself, but I really could care less about the whole Winter War thing. Lastly, how would I be perceived as a woman in society? I'm Catholic and a democrat. Will any of these factors cause any problems for me in the long run? My last name is Kautiainen, so many will probably assume I'm full Finnish if I can pull off the language well enough, but I'm only quarter. Lastly, I'm quite an extrovert. Is the stereotype true of Finns being introverted? Will I make anyone uncomfortable if I try to start a conversation with them? Is eye contact awkward, or do they not mind? Thank you for spending the time to read and answer this! I really appreciate it. Iso kiitos! Hahaha Hey Kevin!
Other - Europe - 3 Answers
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1 :
First of all, no clue what ostracizing is, less so extroversion. of course, you should know who this is by now, being that you asked me to answer this question not 8 minutes ago. I am sorry that I couldn't provide you with any information, and my dialogue has been rudimentary at best, but in all kindness I bid you a good night, and hope you have many more than just my worthless answer to go by.
2 :
Well, if you are going to work in a chemist's (drug store), then Finnish knowledge is indeed vital as you will be giving medicine to the customers and answering to their questions about medication, but it's less vital if you plan to work within the more scientific environment, i.e. as an academical researcher. Talking Finnish at slower pace is a good idea, especially as the noise level in drug stores can occasionally be quite high. As for your dating, Finns do have lots of intercultural relationships and even intercultural marriages these days, so it should not matter at all if you dated a Russian. The Winter War and such as not in people's everyday discussion list anyway, exept for the war veterans and elderly! We do have some Catholic people here in Finland as well, quite many of them are mainstream Finns so it's not a big fuss thing anyway. Finns are not very keen to talk about religion during their everyday life, so this means that people's religious beliefs are well respected. Last but not least, Finns being introverted is only a well-known, stupid overgeneralization, so it's not dangerous to sozialise with people at all! They certainly won't mind you talking, though of course you might have to take the situation into account. Anyway, here are some good general sites about Finland and us Finns, so do take a look: http://www.finnguide.fi http://finland.fi/Public/default.aspx http://voices.washingtonpost.com/finlanddiary/ (Finland as seen through the American eyes) Terveisiä Suomesta! Greetings from Finland!
3 :
If you mean pharmacist, sure you MAY be able to work as a pharmacist if you pursue that degree. It'd take only three years to finish in University. Currently there's only three universities providing pharmacist degrees and there has been some lack of pharmacists especially in small towns and villages. Currently pharmacies are not open to free market and even over the counter medicines are sold in pharmacies only. However that may change and affect the industry. However they don't take many students at all every year so if you want to work in pharmacies, you may have some chance as a regular "drug technician" (lääketeknikko, farmanomi) who only put drugs into the shelves and sell over the counter medicines but are not allowed to give advice or prescription drugs. Some pharmacies don't even require basic vocational education for that and prefer to educate their employees at work.
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