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More and more businesses and organizations in the Oulu area are going
global and hiring foreign workers. The need for this in Finland arises from
the aging population, low birth rate and a scarcity of highly skilled
international employees. To help the expatriate families adjust can save
companies a lot of money and will create a higher expatriate satisfaction.
Attracted by an assignment in Northern Europe and eager to enhance their
international career, the expatriates and their families set off to Oulu.
Whatever the reasons, moving to a new country can be an exciting and fantastic
adventure. Unfortunately it might also turn into a disappointing and lonely
experience. Much depends on the expectations, motivation, social and personal
styles of the expatriates. Moving to Oulu is no more or less challenging than
moving to any other place or country in the world. However, a few things
should be taken into consideration before a final decision to take on the
offered assignment is made.
- Oulu is located high up in the north and the climate corresponds well with
the altitude. Winters are cold, dark and long. Respectively summers are nice
and considerably warm with 24h daylight.
- The unemployment rate is high, and fluent Finnish is required in most jobs.
- Social life abroad is most likely not quite like it was back at home. Good
relations and communication patterns with spouse/partner and children are
essential. Moving abroad will put pressure on the whole family and if the
communication within the family did not work in the home country it will
definitively not work abroad either.
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Aim of the project:
To offer help to expatriate families during the pre-departure, arrival and
adjustment stages, by utilizing the already existing resources in Oulu.
Additional information:
The project emphasizes the following areas:
- Building networks and connections within the city
- Implementing a social support program for the expatriate family
- Searching for personal fulfilment opportunities for the spouse
Target group:
Expatriate families and in particular the spouses, who are attempting to form
social networks, willing to attend Finnish language courses, trying to find
suitable sports clubs and studying possibilities and other types of personal
fulfilment opportunities.
Project Period:
October 2003 - July 31, 2006
Sponsors:
- Flextronics
- Net Hawk
- CCC
- Nokia
- VTT
- Polar
- Kemira
Contact information:
Economic Development and International Affairs
The city of Oulu.
Torikatu 10, 2nd floor
PO Box 72
FIN-90015
Oulu
GSM 358 44 703 1381
Fax 358 8 5584 1731
e-mail: aaltje.bos@ouka.fi
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in Oulu is relatively small and it is therefore
easy to make contacts with other expatriates. The willingness of those who
have already settled down to pitch in and help newcomers with practical or
social matters is great and can be beneficial to the new comer's adjustment.
Many expatriates have turned themselves into excellent ambassadors of the city
and can introduce the best summer and winter activities outdoors and advice on
practical matters.
Contact addresses:
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Many expatriates relocate to further their careers and in the process they
bring their families along to the new country. This sounds easier than what it
is in the reality. Many spouses earned a second income for the family back at
home and were possibly not willing to leave their own careers aside for a
Finnish adventure. But, relying on good career prospects for the partner and
on their own chances of finding a new job backed up with adventurousness, many
families decide to head for the unknown.
Earlier on spouses were mainly female, but nowadays a growing number of
male spouses arrive with their female partners to Oulu.
Whether the trailing spouse is female or male, research has shown that
spouses play an important role in making the foreign assignment successful.
They will make contacts with locals, sign up the children for clubs and
classes, and learn the Finnish language. Spouses who are able to build social
networks will adjust better to life in Oulu. The whole process of adjustment
can easily take 3 or 4 years and will have its ups and downs
Tips for spouses:
- Start searching for a job immediately. If possible, start already before
moving to Oulu. Prepare your resume and let people know you are looking
for work.
- Be proactive and build networks. Introduce yourself to your neighbours,
participate in clubs or other activities.
- Expand your concept of work. Be flexible, look for other options if
working on your own professional field doesn't seem possible.
- Make a career repatriation plan. Make sure that your skills are not
outdated by the time you move back to your own country. Follow courses or
try to find voluntary work.
The plight of the trailing spouse
http://www.womeninlaw.com/newsletter1/elliott.htm
How a spouse can find a job
www.expatica.com/move/spousejobsearch.asp
Dual careers and networks
Recruitment agencies
When looking for a job, here are
companies that might be able to help you
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Human resources or International relations play an important role in laying
the foundations for a successful assignment and should be contacted as early
as possible.
They will plan the move and carefully monitor the employee's adjustment in
the company. However, although business practices vary, the majority of the
companies/organizations in Oulu do not include partners/spouses in their
policy. It is important to know beforehand what the expatriate and his family
can expect from the assignment and what the company's expatriate policy is.
Expatriate families should early start exploring opportunities for the whole
family.
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