Many Bureaucratic Steps...

Steps to Harju Ridge, a big hill that lies between our apartment and city center.

When you move to a different country it normally takes a few weeks (maybe even a month) to feel completely "settled" because there are so many bureaucratic logistics that simply take time (and patience). You may be unpacked and your cupboards full of food, but there are bank accounts to open and Finnish resident numbers to apply for...so hold on and practice what your mom told you, "patience is a virtue!"

Here is a list of bureaucratic things I/we have had the great fortune of coordinating:
 -Open bank account and wait 1 week to receive the visa electron (debit card)
 -Register for Finnish personal residence number and wait up to two weeks for the number (this is needed for tax card & bank account)
-Fill out form for University email access and wait one week for the username/password to come in the mail
-Pick up student registration form at international office (this is good for student discounts on meals, etc.)
-Order student card on-line and wait three weeks for card
-Fill out form to order business cards and wait who knows how long (and translate "PhD Candidate" to Finnish=tohtorikoulutettava)
-Send bank details to Fulbright for transfer of grant money and wait two weeks to get first payment
-Sign up for international student events listserv...ah, no wait time
-Figure out how to use the on-line student registration system and register for a Finnish language course
-Change signature line for all of your email addresses

The great thing about blogging about all of these details is that I can now look back and give a BIG sigh of relief, as most of these items have been checked off the "to do" list. Ahhh...the only thing I am waiting on is my student card.