What's up guys! Have you ever thought about or at least been curious about taking a season or even leaving for good in Finland? I'm going to give you some information that could be useful in this life-changing vibe, but before dreaming about the exotic and the unknown, let's understand reality.
Finland is a parliamentary republic in northern Europe, between the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, bordering Sweden and Russia. It has a population of 5. 5 million inhabitants spread over an area of 338,000 km².
The capital is Helsinki, and National Day is September 6th. The current Prime Minister of Finland is Petteri Orpo, succeeding Sanna Marín. Finnish is the most spoken language, followed by Swedish and Sami.
The predominant religion is Lutheran, although there are also adherents of Eastern Orthodoxy and others. The official currency is the Euro. Speaking of freezing cold in Finland!
Here, the summers are cool, what about the winters? Ah, these are icy and full of snow. If you want to feel the polar cold on your skin and face some dark winters, Finland is waiting for you with open arms!
Finnish culture is a mix of Eastern and Western influences. The guys have a rich tradition in folklore, music and art. And hey, you can't talk about Finland without mentioning the sauna, which is practically an institution there.
In addition to being a place to relax, it is the perfect place to socialize. ah. .
keep watching the video and later on I will talk about how saunas work in Finland. I know that the channel's ax loves this type of content. Socializing here is kind of good, but I warn you that it's not the most extrovert outing in the world.
The Finnish people are spread out somewhat unevenly across the territory. Most are in the south, while the north is quieter, for reasons such as the intense cold, rough terrain and lack of work opportunities. Look, according to official figures, 12% of Finnish women decided to marry foreigners.
And who are these international crushes? The top performers were Sweden, with 28%, followed by Estonia with 10%, Russia with 9%, Iraq with 6%, and Afghanistan with 5%. Love has no borders, right?
And look, Finnish women fall in love with guys from other countries for various reasons: it could be because of their looks, personality, values, or even to look for better opportunities, like work, education, or to enjoy a different vibe. When we talk about international friendships and disagreements, Finland is on good terms with the Nordic countries, like Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia and Iceland. Now, on the list of “enemies”, Russia appears.
The relationship is a bit complicated, as they share a border and have a long history of beef, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine didn't help matters. And when it comes to hitting the road and heading to other places, Finnish women have some favorite destinations. The top 5 countries where they emigrate the most are Sweden, the United States, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom.
People look for opportunities to study, love or just to escape the cold and enjoy a warmer climate. The tense geopolitical relations in Finland are changing, especially since they decided to join the NATO group. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, often referred to by its acronym ''NATO'' and sometimes also called the Atlantic Alliance.
This accession is causing a stir in foreign policy and promises to help the country's geopolitical position. As a result, Finland is facing some serious challenges, such as the shadow of a possible threat from Russia, climate change and global competition. Despite the difficulties, the Finns have an ace up their sleeve: they are super close to the Nordic countries, which opens up a range of opportunities.
Previously, Russia was Finland's number 3 trading friend, accounting for 8% of exports and imports. But the war in Ukraine raised eyebrows, creating economic uncertainty and causing energy prices to rise, which threw a wrench into the Finnish economy. How does Finland deal with the arrival of new people here?
The immigration scheme is entirely focused on finding labor. If you are from abroad and want to work in these parts, you have to secure your work authorization. Around 8% of the people who clock in Finland are foreigners, and look where they come from: Russia sends 22%, Estonia with 13%, Ukraine with 10%, Iraq with 5%, and China with 4%.
The cultural scene here is starting to heat up. It's not as intense as in Sweden, but you can already see some changes in Finnish cities. Global brands, new trends, fashion and, of course, new styles and faces are appearing more and more.
Globalization is having a party in Finland! But of course, all this movement does not come without challenges. Recent geopolitical changes are throwing complications into the Finnish game.
According to a survey carried out by national broadcaster Yle in 2023, people here are paying attention to some concerns. The war in Ukraine, energy prices, inflation and the quality of healthcare are the hot topic, along with the environment and education. The Finnish healthcare system is one of the best in the world, but it has concerns.
The aging of the population is putting pressure on the economic system, and this is a concern that people are paying attention to. Hey, Finns have a reputation for being the happiest people in the world. with a sky-high standard of living and a social safety net to envy.
But even with this fairytale scenario, there are still some concerns on the horizon. If, after all these numbers and stories, Finland is still on your radar, it's a good idea to connect with expat groups on social media. The experience of those who are already here is very valuable to consolidate your idea about the country.
It can be a great way to understand more about everyday life and prepare yourself. Is it true that in Finland people bathe naked in saunas? yes it is true.
Hang in there, naughty one. Do you really want to know? Because it helps the channel by sharing this video, OK?
ah. . .
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What's up guys! Let's talk about the sauna in Finland? There aren't many rules, but it can confuse those who aren't used to it.
So, I exchanged an idea with some Finnish friends and got some tips to share with you. Imagine that a big, tall Finn with light eyes invites you to the sauna and everyone gets naked. Relax, it's not an invitation to a party, it's more like their tradition.
There, nudity is not taboo like it is here, so it doesn't have to be private. And look how curious, there are even those who think this is incredible. Like, sharing the sauna with grandma and seeing her looking good without clothes on, something we're not used to, right?
But it's calm there, it's like a detox from magazine standards, according to a BBC interviewee. When everyone is together, men and women usually go to the sauna separately, but families and friends can go together. If you are in doubt about how to act, ask the question.
Finns are good and respond well. Oh, and no one cares what your body looks like, but if you don't want to be naked, no problem. You can wear a swimsuit or wrapped in a towel.
And repeat after me: when in doubt, ask. Finns are friendly people! In the sauna I went to, there was a separate changing room for men and women.
We took off our clothes, put our things in a closet, took a shower and wrapped ourselves in a towel. We went in bikinis, but there were the brave ones who were naked. One important thing: sit on the towel so you don't stick your fat ass to the wooden bench, or catch other people's sweat (yuck).
And don't go expecting colorful lights, smells of roses or relaxing music. The Finnish sauna is in the “less is more” style, with low light and a simple structure. A Nordic thing, right?
It is recommended to drink water before and after the sauna, as you will sweat a lot. Now, there is also a tradition of using drinks that dehydrate, such as beer or cider. Just confirm that you can take your drinks and food to the sauna you chose.
And hey, the vibe in the sauna can vary. There are those who enjoy maintaining that peace and quiet, like a church. Chill out, relax, almost get into a meditative vibe.
But if you're with the crowd, there's a good chance there'll be some chat. The stop is to feel the atmosphere. Finns are generally more relaxed, but in the sauna, the social barrier is sometimes lower, so it's easier to exchange ideas.
Do you find this strange too? they are closed people, But when it's time to get naked in the sauna, they want to chat. But tell me, would you exchange ideas in this sauna, with a Finnish man who is almost 2 meters tall?
there he is! ! !
oh. . and if you want to know more about Finland, check out the video that appears on the screen.
Thanks guys and see you later.
