Last week, more than 1,500 international degree students started their studies at Estonian higher education institutions. In order to facilitate their integration and adaptation to Estonia, the students received welcome and integration materials introducing the country.
In the current academic year, the number of international degree students starting their studies has decreased compared to the last year, when 1,748 international students started their degree studies. The final number of students arriving to Estonia this year will be confirmed during the first semester at university. In 2021/2022, a total of 5,072 international students studied at higher education institutions in Estonia.
The welcome materials include the publication "Survival Guide for International Students", which provides an overview of the Estonian economy and society, information about health services and working in Estonia, as well as travel and leisure opportunities in Estonia. The welcome materials also include materials about Erasmus+ mobility schemes and information about the possibilities of doing research in Estonia from the Research in Estonia initiative of the Estonian Research Council.
New foreign students of the Estonian University of Life Sciences getting acquainted with the welcome materials. Photo: Piret Puuorg (Education and Youth Board)
"Welcome bags distributed to international students are handed out to make them feel welcome in Estonia. Also, the contents of the bags help them settle in during the first months. Our goal is not only to invite foreign students here to study, but we hope to contribute to a good and unique experience, so that the connection with Estonia will not end after graduation, but the graduates will stay and continue working, for example, in some Estonian company or research institution," commented Triinu Lillepalu, international marketing specialist of Study in Estonia. "We have been handing out bags for years and have received great feedback about them, both on social media and in communication with students. And we have seen the practical cloth welcome bag with the "Study in Estonia" logo on the shoulder of so many students all year round while shopping or walking around the city."
Welcome bags include materials from „Study in Estonia“, Erasmus+ and „Research in Estonia“. Photo: Piret Puuorg (Education and Youth Board)
Welcome materials are distributed to foreign students by all Estonian higher education institutions which are accepting students for English-language study programs - Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian Aviation Academy, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Estonian Business School, Estonian Entrepreneurship University of Applied Sciences, Tallinn University, Tallinn University of Technology, Tartu Health Care College, Tallinn Health Care College and University of Tartu.
New international degree students at Tallinn University of Technology. Photo: Tallinn University of Technology
Estonian national higher education marketing initiative "Study in Estonia" was shortlisted as a finalist in the Marketing campaign of the year category at the prestigious PIEoneer Awards 2020 with the campaign "Welcome Bag - a warm welcome to new international students".
Study in Estonia is a cooperation initiative introducing Estonia as a country offering high-quality higher education opportunities. All Estonian higher education institutions where it is possible to study at least one fully taught in English and internationally recognized level education plan, can participate in the activities. Study in Estonia activities are coordinated by the Education and Youth Board within the framework of the Dora Pluss program, which is implemented through the European Regional Development Fund and with the help of structural grants from the European Union.
- Continue reading more Study in Estonia news:
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The story of the pocket guide "Survival Guide for International Students"
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2021/2022 enrolments to Estonian universities see 20% growth
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International students and graduates continue to contribute more in taxes
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ICEF Monitor: Estonia continues to build its foreign enrolment!
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