Thousands of kilometers from Ukraine: How Estonia became my second home

Submitted by Triinu on Thu, 11/21/2024 - 14:17

This blog post was written by our student ambassador , who is a student of the International Business Administration programme at Taltech.

"I think I’ll move to Tallinn." That was the first time I said it out loud, in response to my best friend asking what I was planning to do next. I had no idea what life in Estonia would be like—or life abroad in general. My focus was solely on preparing for my final exams and passing them, so I wasn’t even thinking about what would come after. It was the winter of 2022, and I was about to finish my last year of school.

So, what was the reason behind this seemingly random decision? It came down to four main factors:

A genuine desire to study abroad – Why? Simply because I wanted to see the world. Occasionally, people would visit our lyceum to share their international study experiences, and I always wanted to be one of them. No one ever mentioned Estonia. It was a country I knew very little about, which made it even more interesting to explore.
Affordability – Among all the options I considered, Estonia was the most affordable. Before the special scholarship for Ukrainians in 2022, which allowed us to study for free, the tuition fees weren’t too high. Plus, the living expenses for students were significantly lower compared to places like Central Europe, making it manageable on a student budget.
A personal connection – Knowing someone close to me had experienced life here made the decision easier. My father had worked in Tallinn for a while. Even though he couldn't help with the documents and preparations, it made me feel a bit more secure.
And finally – maybe the most important reason: I instantly fell in love with the university. An existential crisis that usually hits around 20 caught up with me a bit earlier, at 17. I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had a bunch of hobbies in school, always a packed schedule, and loads of extracurricular activities, but suddenly, I felt stuck in my life marathon. What truly made the difference was TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology). I absolutely loved the university and the vibe it gave off. Its location, the visuals, the branding—everything about it made me excited. I found the perfect program in International Business Administration, which was exactly what I was looking for: a combination of creativity and science. From my first day, I knew I wanted to specialize in marketing in the future.

After my 17th birthday, which falls on February 24—a date that now holds triple meaning for me, including Estonia’s Independence Day and the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine—I realized the only right decision was to keep moving forward. So, in September 2022, I started a new chapter in a new country and environment.

Was it easy at first?
No.

Was it worth it?
Definitely, yes.

The biggest shock during my first month was the language barrier and realizing how important it was. Before coming to Estonia, I knew I'd be studying in English, and I’d heard that people here generally speak English well. I didn’t worry much. That was almost true. The real challenge was that, without knowing Estonian, I couldn’t fully take advantage of all the opportunities the university offered, such as clubs and other extracurricular activities. It was one of the biggest struggles I faced—not having the variety I was used to. Missing out on these chances made me feel a bit down. But to be fair, things have definitely improved. Now in TalTech there are more options for international students, and it’s easier to find the club you want to join or the organization you want to get involved with.

However, there were also many things that pleasantly surprised me and helped quickly and easily get used to my new life. First of all, the people. In the beginning, Estonians might seem a bit reserved, but once you get to know them, you realize how kind and helpful they are. Those early days at university, in a new city and country, felt confusing, but if you ask an Estonian for help, you almost never hear a “ei” (no in Estonian). They’re always ready to lend a hand.

As a Ukrainian student who literally escaped the war in my country, I feel incredibly welcomed and comfortable here. Estonia has a rich history and a truly unique culture that has shaped Estonians into a respectful, proud, and resilient nation. They show their support for Ukraine whenever they get the chance, which means a lot to me.

Having experience living in four different countries, I can confidently say that the environment, infrastructure, and urban landscape also play a huge role in how you feel and behave in a new place. Estonia has amazing infrastructure that makes everyday life much easier. During my studies, I lived only four minutes away from the university—just like many other students staying in the TalTech dorms. This closeness not only made life convenient but also created a strong sense of community, making it easy to socialize and feel at home. Now, I’m living with two friends, and it’s everything I imagined student life would be.

For those like me, who love hiking or are passionate about nature, Estonia is almost the perfect destination. If only it had mountains! Living close to the Nõmme district—a picturesque area in southwestern Tallinn—I go on solo or group hikes in the local forests, and almost every day, I discover something new. In addition, Estonia is very safe, so there’s no worry about going for a night run or heading home late from a party.

And last but not least, feeling at home in a new place is also about how much you can contribute to society and find professional fulfillment. Despite the initial language difficulties, I gradually found ways to get involved and make a difference during my years here. I’ve been actively participating in startup events and accelerators, creating policies for the Estonian Student Union, and volunteering as a media specialist for a major Ukrainian fundraising organization. There’s a strong sense of support for anyone willing to take the initiative. Plus, there are many international opportunities available, which I’ll be sharing more about in my next blog post—so stay tuned!

I love my time here. It’s a small country with a big heart, one that teaches you to value simplicity and focus on what truly matters. Its security, inclusivity, and progressiveness have created the perfect mix for me. Thousands of kilometers away from Ukraine, I feel valued and welcomed, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

Find out which are available for you in Estonia.

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