This is my first journal in English, mostly to test the system and see how it works, but most likely I'll make some mistakes (to amuse the audience)

Now I live in Finland, and English is my main way to communicate with people (my Finnish is awful, but the majority of people here speak English perfectly), but I am still bad with small talk and other things which people normally learn as kids.

But hopefully, it will improve).

This is my first journal in English, mostly to test the system and see how it works, but most likely I'll make some mistakes to amuse the audience)

I'm not sure if the ending ")" was a typo or intended to be a Russian smiley face, so I'm pointing it out in the comment.

When I studied at school back in Russia, I didn't like (my) English classes because I didn't understand, why do I needed (to know) the language, and my teachers were not the friendliest people ever.

Or "English class," if you want to be very general.

And later, when I was a student at the University, it was the same... beforeuntil I realized that all the newest scientific literature is published in English, and the best online courses are in English too.

Some people might write "university student" or "student in university," but I think it's fine as is.

"Until" seems better to me, since your realization is a direct trigger for your change of mind. But "before" is acceptable.

Now I live in Finland, and English is my main way to communicate with people (my Finnish is awful, but the majority of people here speak English perfectly), but I am still bad with small talk and other things which people normally learn as kids.