These days, I am getting several emails and phone calls about students sharing their experiences on how they are discriminated or face the racial attack against International Immigrants. I am sharing some of those incidents:
In a Polytechnics college in Helsinki, a teacher was teaching in English medium. Meantime, he asked a question in Finnish to students which have international students as well. A South Asian student who can not understand Finnish, asked the teacher to translate that question in English if it is study related, it would be useful for him as well. Teacher did not hear it. Then, the Finnish student also replied the answer in Finnish. Then, a Finnish-African guy who can understand Finnish translated that question answer happened in Finnish language. Hearing this, teacher scold the Finnish-African guy, asking why he translated it. Teacher also told, "Because of these foreigners, our country getting worse". Finnish-African guy protested about this comment along with South Asian guy. Teacher left the class saying, "If it could be done by my decision, I would have blocked admission for international much before because why should we teach them for free with our resources?".
In a Technical University in Northern Finland, a Master's Degree student asked about a book in University Library. The library staff pointed out to a place where the information was only in Finnish. Student replied she was not familiar with Finnish, so she asked for help. Staff replied, "If you don't know Finnish, Why the hell do you come to Finland?" She protested. She was replied again as "You were not welcomed, you stuck here as intruder".
In a workplace on Helsinki, a person was politely told to leave the job saying, "Your work is very good. I don't have any complaint it. I am pretty impressed with your work. But other Finnish people did not like you hair style, did not like your body smell and did not like your look; even they did not like the scent you use"
In a northern city of Finland, a South Asian student works as a newspaper carrier. One day, when the subscriber saw this South Asian guy delivering the newspaper to his home, he ordered, "Don't come to deliver from tomorrow since I don't like International people". But, it was his duty, so he went another day as well. The owner scold him with very bad words. Third day, he opened his dogs and order to chase. Next day, this carrier guy went to that house along with his supervisor, and this owner guy told the supervisor that "If this newspaper is to be delivered by non-Finnish, I would be happy to terminate the newspaper subscription".
I was travelling on a city bus along with my friends. A lady came near to our seat and told politely, "I hate foreigners. Why did you come to our country? I never want my grandchildren to grow seeing these dark faces. Why don't you all go back and let us live peacefully"
These are just few cases of discrimination and racism in Finland. South Asian and African people have reported many much similar incident to me on emails and phones.
But, no offense to those very good Finnish people. In general, Finnish people are very gentle, friendly and heartly welcoming to International People. But, due to few such above cases, it sometimes feel very bad to be in Finland !!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Discrimination and Racism cases are rising in Finland
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11 comments:
Ooops!!! why we are facing such a condition even in finland, a developed country.May be, we all have to gather at a single point and remind to the administration.Even the south asian and afrikkan people respect heartly to foreigner but, why these cases are increasing???
Hello,
I am student in the North Finland, am an African. I have not encountered any raciest in my stay until now. The Finnish people specially in Lapland they are nice and kind. But like in any society there are very few people who are bad, who are raciest. I came from a country where there is a racism, ethnic and sexual racism. There is nothing perfect, there may be some few racist people. These does not make the country racist.
The Finnish people are very silent and shy. But when they drunk they are very funny people. It takes time to make them friendly. Sometimes some teenagers when they get drunk, they are aggressive and kind of racist.
Some Immigrants act very unethical, like they give un-polite look in Bars, or clubs. I have seen a violent immigrant student in Club. Such things doesn't represent all immigrant students. As far as you respect the society, there is no one who want to fight you. But don't be scared to feel free.
Respect and you will be respected.
4th year student
Are you lying or telling things non-truthfully?
If these things you told here were true (it seems highly unlikely), improvements could be achieved by, say, reporting the polytech teach to the school administrator, the librarian to the library director, suing the employer or reporting him to the employment authorities or trade union, the newspaper subscriber to the police and the (middle-aged?) lady could use a telling-off.
But, as I said, I don't believe you.
what about coming to finland ? do we have to be frightened about coming there and residing please give me/us some informaton
Though I don't have first hand experiences of discriminations and racisms, I have been told of such cases even by Finns. But I believe only a sporadic cases, every now and then, happen here in Finland as compared to, say other countries.
I read Finnish language forums also. Some (or most people there) are extremely negative about immigrations (esp. refugees) in Finland but good thing is that those Finns don't show it in their behaviours.
I am a student studying here in finland(central), and all I have got to say to this artical writer is F*** U!!!! you think you say these bullshit things and we ought to believe it!!!??? I have met different people from many nationalities...and I feel glad to say Finnish people are the best amongst them.And a request to this website owner, don't publish these kind of outrageous news which is nothing more than a lie, this news has certainly given your site a bit publicity but it's fu***** with the good behaviour of finns.
Thanks that I came to this insolicite webpage because I feel like improving in my English writing. Whatever you say about, I do not give a damn. If your country is the best stay there. If you are in another country do as the romans do.
Hi...
I am a young finnish woman and I happened to come across this site. What you told in this post is something I haven't heard of before, but just as there is racism in other countries there is in Finland as well.
But I want to encourage all of you who are interested in studying here - if you get the chance, take it! The majority of the finnish people are friendly and ready to help you.
There are cultural differencies no matter where you go, and as a foreigner you'll probably meet with difficulties and misunderstandings everywhere. So please don't be discouraged when hearing about these things, there are a lot of good things as well!!
I liked Maria's interpretation.
Hi to all of u guys,I have already given my entrance examination and hope that I'll get admission.But after reading this news I am quite sad and a bit scared to move to finland.Is the cases of racism really rising? will this make finland a good destination? should I not come to finland if i am admitted?
please reply
I'm a Finn studying in a Finnish university in the capital area.
I think racism is existent everywhere in the world where there are ignorant people. It's hard to cure them all, so it's just a fact of life to those who are in some way different than most of the population (looks, skin color, clothing, different opinions...). The bigger the city, the more likely you are to find like-minded (good) people.
I haven't heard about single case of racism in my university, and I think most of the international students are happy to be here. Anyway, it might sometimes be hard to break the language barrier with Finns, but once you do it I think Finns are quite friendly and reliable people. :)
What comes to this article I think the people who where discriminated against should have told what happened to the discriminators supervisors or the police (which is one of the most trusted professions in Finland). You cannot assume that things get better if you yourself don't do anything about the wrongdoings and just complain Anonymously about them in the internet!
-Agreeing with Maria-
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