Hypothetical First Trip

After I finish school, I'll be heading for Schoolies for about two weeks. But then what? A few months of waiting for uni to start - couldn't I be spending the time more efficiently? For example... by going to Finland?
The benefits would be enormous. It would be a way to "suss out" Finland before I really start to visit it. I could get all the touristy things out of the way quickly and happily - without stressing that I need to finish an assignment. I could start to build a solid foundation in the language, which always helps. I could get a feel for the culture and see if I really like it. And I'd be visiting in the freezing winter - so I'd know it can only get better!
The problems, though, are noteworthy. How do I expect to fund myself? I could be working and saving for my other, definite trips all the time I'm in Finland. And how can I persuade someone to go with me? I'm fairly independent, but just after high school, I don't think I could do it by myself.
But if it did go ahead, here's what I'd have to consider:

Housing
I don't really mind where I stay, as long as it's cheap. Housing should be straightforward for this trip.

Finance
I'd want to stay in the cheapest lodgings possible, get the cheapest airfare possible and eat as little as possible! :) Student Flights tells me the cheapest flight I can get from Melbourne to Helsinki is $1550 - I reckon I can do better. It's a matter of shopping around. I'd want to get by on no more than $5000, and that's just a number I came up with off the top of my head.

Language
Being a total noob at Finnish (despite my year of teaching myself through Teach Yourself), I would have trouble in the more remote locations. I would probably save them for when I can speak better Finnish. I'd take a short course in Finnish - I've heard they have good ones in Helsinki. And of course, I'd end up reverting to English anyway.

Bureaucracy
Passport, insurance, etc ... pretty straightforward.

ALTERNATIVE:
If I don't go - $5000 is a crapload for a poor student like me - I'll work my arse off to save for the real trip in a year's time, especially during holidays and on public holidays.

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