In Finland, they do not write paychecks as in the US.  Of course, many now get direct depostis in the US, but in Finland checks are rarely used.  To get paid I needed to get a letter from the university saying that I was working for them.  Then I went to the bank and got an account.  Then I waited for the university to put money in my account.  They did not for sure when that would be.  I could not pick up my card for the account until the university paid me and I did not know when they would pay me.  Happily the folks are SO nice at that part of University of Oulu, they called to day and found that indeed, I will get paid at the end of the money, the card is there in the bank and it is only about a 45 minute walk there and back to get it!