Moving to Finland straight after highschool?

Question

After I complete high school (here in Vancouver) I was thinking of moving to Finland for at least 5 years or longer.

1. If I leave for Finland, would it be hard to gain citizenship before I arrive? (no relatives in Canada with Finnish citizenship + only somewhat distant relatives in Finland)

2. Would it be hard for an English speaker to live and possibly work in Finland

3. Would be hard for me to get a job + housing considering my Finnish language abilities are limited to the numbers 0-10.

4. When I arrive into Finland as a "citizen" would I have to join civil service or military? Would I also be able to receive a lower cost of post secondary education?

I was also thinking (just idea,but no real plan) of moving with my girlfriend whom I've been dating for 2 years

+ how could I tell my parents that, that is what I wanna do.

Answer 1

dude its impossible almost to get into europe, you have to find a job before u can move to finland, and your employer has to prove that NO ONE IN THE LOCAL area has skills that you possess. So basically unless ur a rocket scientist its hard. yoru best bet is to join the British Army since your canadian and get british citizenship and then move to finland, 5 years in british regulars wil get u citizenship, adn then u can move to finland without problem. canadian cans join british army since their commonwealth.

Answer 2

1. No you have to live in Finland for six years before you can apply for citizenship. Only if one of your parents are Finnish citizens can you apply for citizenship through family relations.

2-3. It would be difficult for you to get a job that pays a decent amount of money if you don't speak the language. Try and take at least some basic courses before you arrive. Housing shouldn't be an issue because of your language. Finland is not allowed to discriminate like that.

4. As you cannot be a citizen when you arrive you can't join the Finnish military. You will also have to pay international student fees.

I moved to the US to study from Sweden. One parent was very supportive while the other was not. Just make sure you have all the facts about costs and visa rules and such before you speak to them. That way they can't get you with "Have you thought about this? And this?" If they can see that you have really thought it through and that it isn't just a thing of the moment they may be more supportive.