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

This winter (yes, winter!) I had the chance to attend Tallinn Winter School as part of my Estonian language learning journey, and it turned out to be far better than I expected. Despite the freezing temperatures, every moment was memorable and genuinely enjoyable.

If you’re considering spending time in Estonia, whether in winter or summer, short-term programs like winter or summer school are a perfect option. Unlike long academic courses, these programs usually last only one to three weeks, making them an easy and exciting way to experience the country, the culture, and even the language. 

Below are 10 reasons why signing up might be one of the best decisions you make.

1. There Are Actually Many Courses to Choose From

You've got Estonian language, Russian language, photography, English courses, and more. And based on what students report back, these courses are genuinely good. People felt like they learned something.

2. They Keep You So Busy You Forget Your Toes Are Numb

Tallinn Winter School organizes SO many events: museum visits, ice skating, cooking lessons, movie nights and more. There's a welcome ceremony and a culture night where you get to meet people from other courses and countries.

3. You Get to Visit a Literal UNESCO World Heritage Site

Walking through the Viru Gates into Tallinn’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its remarkably intact medieval architecture, feels like stepping onto a medieval movie set, where spotting a medieval character doesn’t seem out of place at all. You can visit museums, eat at Old Hansa (where they serve food like it's from the 15th century), wander through Kadriorg Park, check out the KGB Museum, or visit the Open Air Museum. There's so much to do that you'll need to pace yourself.

4. You Can Escape to Other Cool Places for Cheap

Estonia is small, which means you can visit Pärnu (the summer capital), Otepää (the winter capital), or Tartu (the student city) for very cheap by bus or train. You can even hop on a FlixBus/Lux to Riga or Vilnius.

5. Estonian Cuisine Will Surprise You

At the culture night, they served food from most of the countries represented at winter school. The Estonian cuisine was also available so you will be able to try Black bread, kama and more. 

6. You'll Meet People from Literally Everywhere

Sharing a room with girls from Germany and England felt like a mini cultural exchange program, where every night brought fun conversations and new insights into their cultures, traditions, and perspectives. In my class there were people from Mexico, Japan, USA, Czech Republic, and Latvia. It was wild seeing people from all corners of the globe choosing to spend their winter in Estonia learning the language. We were all in it together, and that creates a special bond.

7. Tallinn's Nightlife Won't Disappoint

Telliskivi Creative City is where the cool kids hang out. Here you can try hip bars, street food, vintage shops, and art studios in converted industrial buildings. Even in winter, the vibe is excellent. 

8. You'll Grow as a Person 

Stepping out of your comfort zone, navigating a new country in winter, and making international friends! That is character-building! You'll come back with wild stories and newfound confidence that you can handle pretty much anything life throws at you.

9. It's an Excuse to Wear All Your Cozy Clothes

Finally, a legitimate reason to invest in that comfy sweater and use it! And you have another reason to have hot chocolate every night. It tastes better when you've earned it by walking through actual winter.

10. You'll Have Stories That Start With "This One Time in Estonia..."

And honestly? Who wouldn't want to start a story like this.  Not many people can say they spent their winter studying in a medieval city by the Baltic Sea. It's unique, it's memorable, and it's way more interesting than "I stayed home and watched Netflix."

And if you don’t just want to take my word for it, here’s what other Tallinn Winter School students had to say:

”It was very enjoyable and lots of good experiences, the Cultural program was good. The lesson was fun, hard but rewarding” Lucie, Estonian language course

”Demanding, Enriching and Fun. Tallinn is a great international city with so many places to explore. It is great that the Tallinn Winter School offers people from all backgrounds and nationalities to expand their horizons.  Also, I love the bags and reflectors”  Lena, Russian Language Course

”It was pretty good. It gave me a chance to explore the city and do some interesting activities. I learnt a lot about interactive design ” - Wenqi Design of Digital Services for Health Behaviour Change

In conclusion, studying in Estonia isn't just for master's or bachelor's degrees. Short-term courses like Tallinn Winter School are the perfect way to experience the country, learn something new, and have an adventure that doesn't break the bank.