Why Estonia?

Submitted by Triinu on Tue, 03/04/2025 - 10:39

This blog post was written by our student ambassador Ashley Vanessa, who is a student of the Computer Science programme at University of Tartu.

"Why Estonia?" This is one of the most common questions Estonians ask foreigners who choose to move here. It likely comes from a genuine curiosity about what draws people to their country for living and studying. And honestly, I understand that curiosity.

My home country is a popular tourist destination and if someone chose to move there, I’d also be interested in what made them pick it out of all the places in the world. It’s not that I wouldn’t see its appeal, but when you grow up somewhere, you become so familiar with its beauty that you might take it for granted.

I imagine it’s the same for Estonians. They’re surrounded by breathtaking autumn colours, a peaceful way of life and a deep connection to nature. Maybe they don’t always realize how captivating their country can be to someone seeing it with fresh eyes. But I have to admit that I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to study in Estonia. It took a lot of research before I made my decision.

I first heard about Estonia as one of Europe’s leading digital hubs. The concept of e-residency, online voting, and a highly digitalized society intrigued me. But moving there to study? I had no connections, and no friends there, and it was one bus ride and two plane rides away. It didn’t seem like an obvious choice at first. But then I started researching. And the more I dug, the more I couldn’t shake the idea. Could Estonia be the right place for me? Before I knew it, I was calling my family to tell them the big news that I got accepted, and I was moving to Estonia!

In this blog, I want to walk you through the process of selecting Estonia as my destination for study abroad. Maybe it will help you choose your own country for studying abroad. Maybe it’s Estonia, like me. Maybe it’s somewhere else. Either way, here’s how I made my choice.

What Made Me Want to Study Abroad?

I am not new to moving away from home to study. I did this for my bachelor's. Getting a taste of life abroad is addictive and once you experience it, it's hard not to want more. So I always knew I wanted to move again for my Masters. I wanted to challenge myself again, to step out of my comfort zone. I wanted to experience a new culture, meet new people and explore different perspectives.

Academically, I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence, so I needed a country that offered strong programs in AI. When narrowing down my options, I focused on places that provided master’s programs in English as learning an entirely new language before starting an intense academic program felt overwhelming. To my surprise, there were way more options than I initially expected!

From a career perspective, I wanted to study abroad as it will open up a wide range of opportunities. Many universities have strong industry connections, allowing students to network with top companies, participate in internships, and gain practical experience in a global job market. Having an international degree and cross-cultural experience also makes a candidate more competitive in an increasingly globalized workforce.

Beyond academics and career, I believe that living in a new country is an incredible way to develop personally. Moving abroad forced me to become independent, resilient, and adaptable. I had to and will have to navigate a different way of life, handle administrative processes, and solve everyday challenges on my own. These experiences build confidence and problem-solving skills that are useful in all aspects of life.

Being in a foreign country also means encountering different traditions, values, and lifestyles. It broadens my worldview and appreciation for the diversity of human experiences.

How I First Heard About Estonia as a Study Destination

The first time Europe became a focus was through an education fair happening in Brazil. They highlighted several countries and introduced many programs ranging from short courses to full degree programs. The representatives discussed work opportunities and available scholarships. There were delegates from various schools whom you could approach with direct questions about their institutions. When I got back home, I started doing more research. That’s when I discovered that Estonia offered full-tuition scholarships. As I dug deeper, I kept finding more things that made Estonia an appealing choice.

So, like any millennial would do, I went straight to YouTube. I wanted to see what the country looked like, what the streets looked like, what people said about living there, and what student life was like. What the food was like. The more I watched, the more I was drawn to this place. But it was still a distant dream. I checked out the Study in Estonia website. I found several programs that sparked my interest. So, I applied. The application process was surprisingly smooth—unlike some other European countries, Estonia allowed me to submit my documents electronically, meaning I didn’t have to pay to mail them until after I got accepted. That saved me a lot of money!

The website also provided helpful tips on how to write my motivation letter. I spent weeks perfecting it, making sure it reflected my passion and commitment. Looking back, that preparation made all the difference in helping me secure my spot.

My Criteria for Selecting a Study Destination

When deciding where to study, I ranked my options based on these 7 key factors:

1. Cost of Living

I wanted to study in a country where I could afford rent, food, and transportation without feeling constantly stressed about money. Estonia has a relatively lower cost of living compared to other European countries. Choosing Tartu, where I could walk to campus, saved me a lot on transportation costs. Additionally, student discounts on public transport, affordable dining options, and reasonable rental prices made Estonia a financially viable choice for me. Student housing was affordable at around ~ €160-320 per month for a shared apartment. Even dining out occasionally wouldn't break the bank, with a decent meal costing around ~ €10-15. My monthly budget was manageable, something that would have been impossible in places like London, Paris, or Stockholm.

2. Scholarships

Getting financial support was important. Estonia offers several scholarships for international students, which makes it even more appealing. I needed a program that provided scholarships upfront and the opportunity to apply for additional funding later.

3. Program and Classes Offered

I looked at universities that had strong programs in my field and courses that aligned with my academic goals. Since I wanted to specialize in AI, I searched for programs that focused on machine learning, deep learning, and AI ethics, taught by professionals actively working in the field. Estonia’s universities had partnerships with tech companies, ensuring that courses were aligned with industry needs.

4. PhD Opportunities

Since I wanted to keep the door open for a PhD later, I considered countries where it would be easy to transition from a master’s to a doctoral program. Estonia offers several PhD opportunities, and what made it even more attractive was that PhD is often without tuition and you can receive a stipend. This makes pursuing a PhD in Estonia financially sustainable while allowing students to focus on their research.

5. Language of Instruction

I only considered countries where I could study in English. Estonia met that requirement perfectly, with a wide range of English-taught programs and a highly proficient English-speaking population. Though I'm planning to learn some Estonian while I'm here, it was essential that I could jump straight into my studies without a language barrier. Nearly everyone in academic and professional settings speaks excellent English, which makes day-to-day life much easier than I expected.

6. Career Services and Work Opportunities

It was important for me to study in a place with strong career support for students, as well as opportunities to work part-time while studying. The University of Tartu has a dedicated career services department that holds seminars on job hunting, improving CVs, and preparing for interviews. Students can even book one-on-one consultations to receive personalized career advice. Additionally, as an international student, I can work without restrictions while studying, which isn't the case in many other countries where work permits are limited to a certain number of hours per week.

7. Economic Growth and Future Job Market

I wanted to be in a country with a growing economy to increase my chances of finding a good job after graduation. Estonia’s booming tech sector, its startup-friendly environment, and the presence of global companies made it an attractive place for someone in IT. Additionally, Estonia offers a post-study visa, allowing graduates to stay for nine months to look for a job. And even if I decided not to stay in Estonia permanently, the experience and connections gained here would be valuable for working anywhere in the EU or globally in the tech sector.

Surprisingly, factors like climate, city size, and length of study weren’t big concerns for me—I knew I could adapt.

In the end, Estonia just made sense. When I laid out all these factors and compared different destinations, Estonia consistently ranked near the top. The combination of affordability, quality education, digital innovation, and future opportunities created a compelling package that was hard to resist

When I got the acceptance email, it felt surreal. This wasn’t just an idea anymore, it was happening. I immediately called my family, and their excitement made me even more confident in my decision.

Of course, I had doubts. Would I be able to cover the cost of living? Would I like the food? Would I find a job? Would I need to learn Estonian for daily life? Would people be welcoming? But I realized that every big decision comes with uncertainty. And sometimes, you just have to leap.

If you’re thinking about studying abroad, I hope this post gives you some insights into how to choose the right country for you. Estonia was the right choice for me, but what about you?

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