How studying in Estonia took me around Europe

Submitted by Triinu on Mon, 01/20/2025 - 11:08

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

What if I told you that a small Baltic country could be your gateway to a world of global educational opportunities? Intriguing, right? In this blog, I’ll share how studying in Estonia can open doors to exploring different countries—all while earning your degree!

How it all began

When I moved to Tallinn to study International Business Administration at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), I had just finished high school. At that time, I couldn’t have imagined the international journey that awaited me. Over the past three years, thanks to TalTech's incredible mobility programs, I’ve studied in three different countries—Estonia, Ireland, and Spain. It hasn’t always been easy, but these experiences have shaped who I am today!

What motivated my decision to go for it?

The answer lies in my personality. I’m quite an adventurous, curious, and active person, and sitting in one place for a few years simply isn’t my style. Luckily, my university offered numerous mobility opportunities to its students, and I couldn’t wait to take advantage of them. Just to give you an idea: TalTech collaborates with over 400 partner universities worldwide, giving students a variety of international opportunities—whether it’s short-term exchanges, internships abroad, or even writing your thesis in a different country.

For me, the Erasmus+ program stood out. It offers students the chance to study for a semester or a full academic year at partner universities across the EU or associated countries.

Tips for Getting into the Erasmus+ Program

So, what do you need to do to get into the Erasmus+ program?

Be attentive and don’t miss the application deadline!
If you're truly interested, it will be hard to miss all the promotions around the university about the start of the application period. Don’t wait until the last day—apply as soon as possible!
Research your host university, not just the country you want to visit.
Based on my experience, the university can be a real game-changer during your exchange. Don’t just focus on the country—look into the university’s extracurricular activities, student support, and international community. This will also help you clearly state your motivation during the entry interview.
Check your documents in advance.
Make sure your application is complete and meets all requirements. In my case, that meant proving my B2-level English skills, maintaining good academic performance (especially if your destination country is a competitive option), and ensuring all tuition fees were paid

Budget

At this point, you might be wondering how you'll manage your budget. Erasmus+ offers scholarships ranging from €550 to €900, depending on your destination. This could help you cover basic needs and a flight ticket, but I’d highly recommend having some extra savings to fully enjoy your experience and manage any unforeseen costs!

My first erasmus experience: Trinity College Dublin

So, let’s get back to my journey! For my first Erasmus destination, I chose Trinity College Dublin. Being attracted by its prestigious reputation, I knew I’d regret not trying it. Ireland had been on my bucket list for years, so as soon as I saw it as an option, I was already mentally packing my bags.

How was it for me? The first two weeks were surreal—I couldn’t believe I was there. Everything felt so different. The campus was stunning, located in the heart of Dublin, and had six libraries, two football pitches, a sports club, countless study rooms, and even its own pub! The lectures were engaging and primarily project-based, though adjusting to the large class sizes—so different from Tallinn—took some time.

But let’s be honest—the experience wasn’t perfect. Unexpected challenges pushed me to adapt quickly. For instance, I was initially shocked by how different the English accent was from what I’d expected. It took me some time to adjust to the pronunciation, but soon enough, I started picking up Irish slang, like saying 'grand' to mean 'okay' and 'craic' for 'fun!'

Even though this wasn’t my first time as an international student, making close friends was harder than expected. On top of that, my accommodation was far from the city center, which made commuting difficult. At times, I really missed the coziness of Tallinn.

My second Erasmus experience: University of Valencia

This time, I took a different approach—I decided not to set overly high expectations before the exchange or overthink how things should be. And you know what? Coming to a country and university I’d never considered before; I ended up falling in love with life here. It’s not just the sunny weather and siesta, it’s more about the routine I’ve built.

Learning from my past experiences, I didn’t expect everything to be perfect and full of new people and travels—but that’s exactly what it turned out to be!

Oh, and the studies, of course. I had some wrong expectations thinking that students here are super laid-back and don’t stress about school too much, but that’s not true. You’ve got to study hard, and professors expect a lot, as well as the coursework being demanding. Right now, as I’m preparing for exams, I can completely disprove that myth!

Lessons learned from going on Erasmus

Reflecting on my journey, I can confidently say these experiences made me more adaptive, flexible, and open-minded. Each destination and experience were unique and had its own challenges but overcoming them helped me take a step forward.

If you’re considering an Erasmus adventure, my advice is simple: don’t idealize your experience or compare it to someone else’s. Everyone’s journey is different, and every moment—good or challenging—create your personal story. Accept it, and just go with the flow.

Why Estonia is the perfect startpoint

To sum up, Estonia could be the ideal starting point for your international education. Universities like TalTech offer countless opportunities for international mobility, and the support system is incredible. Whenever I faced challenges, my home university was always there to help, making sure my experience went as smoothly as possible.

In two weeks, I’ll be back, and it feels like returning to an old friend who always listens, supports, and cares. Honestly, without TalTech’s constant support and quick help with any questions I had, I might not have taken this opportunity again. But I I’m so thankful I did.

So, if you’re dreaming of studying abroad, start in Estonia, explore the world, and come back with stories, souvenirs, and unforgettable memories. Personally, I’m still figuring out how to fit 10 packs of jamón and a paella pan into my suitcase to bring back to Tallinn!

Find out which international degree programmes are available for you in Estonia.