1st September 2026 – This autumn, Estonia opened its doors to more than 1,200 new international degree students who chose the country as their study destination. Their arrival marks not only the start of an exciting academic journey but also a celebration of Estonia's growing role as a place for global talent.
To help students settle in, Study in Estonia continued its long-standing tradition of handing out welcome bags. Each package combines practical items, cultural insights, and useful information to support the first steps in a new country. The concept has been recognized by the global international education PIEoneer Awards as one of the best marketing campaigns in the world.
This year’s welcome bags were made possible with contributions from a range of partners across Estonia’s education, culture and business sectors, including Erasmus+, Research in Estonia, SinE, Work in Estonia, the Estonian Museum Card, Bolt, Lux Express and Keeleklikk. Their contributions help make the welcome bags more practical and meaningful for international students, while also giving them an opportunity to discover more of Estonian life, culture and opportunities from the very beginning of their studies.
This year’s welcome bag is even more special as, for the first time, its visual design was created by one of Study in Estonia`s Student Ambassadors, Ana Ximena Ramales López, a Mexican animation master’s student at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
The bags were distributed across universities offering degree programmes in English, including the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian University of Life Sciences, and others.
“When you arrive in a new country as a student, there is a lot to take in – from navigating everyday life and practical matters to finding your place in a new environment. During those first weeks, it matters to know that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. A welcome bag may be a small gesture, but the message behind it is much bigger: we have prepared for your arrival and we are genuinely happy to have you here,” said Triinu Lillepalu, International Marketing Specialist at Study in Estonia.
“But our goal goes beyond simply saying hello. We want international students to build a real connection with Estonia – one that makes them want to return, work here, build a business, or contribute their knowledge and experience long after their studies are over.”
“International students bring much more to Estonia than an international dimension. They bring something that no campaign or marketing message can create on its own – new ways of thinking. They challenge us with different questions, share their experiences and cultures, and create connections that reach far beyond Estonia. Every international student who chooses to study here can, in their own way, become an ambassador for Estonia around the world,” Lillepalu added.
Study in Estonia unites all universities that offer fully accredited English-taught programmes. The initiative promotes Estonia as a destination for high-quality higher education and works to ensure that international students feel supported, valued, and inspired throughout their academic journey.
Read also blog posts:
- Beyond the Brochures: My First Semester at the University of Tartu
- 7 benefits of studying abroad
- Thousands of kilometers from Ukraine: How Estonia became my second home
- Our first semesters at the University of Tartu
- My First Year in Estonia: A Review