Networking, Volunteering and Leisure Time

HANDBOOKS

Estonia: State, Society and Language

Private and Public Services

My Rights and Responsibilities

Networking, Volunteering and Leisure Time

Working and Labour Market

Children and Family

Kindergarten and Schools

Higher Education and Research

Residence and Citizenship

Business and Entrepreneurship

Introduction

1. Volunteering

1.1. Benefits of volunteering

1.2. How to become a volunteer?

2. Leisure Activites

2.1. Nature and travelling around Estonia

2.2. Sports

2.3. Music

2.4. Theatres

2.5. Cinemas

2.6. Museums

2.7. Buying tickets

3. Family Vacation and Fun with Kids

4. Making Friends and Networking

4.1. Language cafes

4.2. International houses in Estonia

International House of Estonia Estonian language houses International House Tartu Tartu Welcome Centre

4.3. Social media groups

4.4. Student life

4.5.

5. Youth Work and Hobby Education

5.1. Youth work in Estonia

5.2. Hobby education

5.3. Youth centres

5.4. Youth camps

5.5. Youth work camp

5.6. Youth associations, organisations and assemblies

Youth associations and organisations

Students’ unions at schools (representation assemblies)

Other organisations

6. Lifelong learning

6.1. Libraries

Estonian National Library

Estonian Library for the Blind

Estonian Children’s Literature Centre

Public libraries

School libraries

Information systems to search for items

6.2. Archives

6.3. Open university

Dear reader,

Thank you for participating in the “Settle in Estonia” programme. Our programme has been designed for foreigners who have decided to move to Estonia and our courses have been available to new arrivals since 2015. Whether your reason for choosing Estonia is based on your family connections, work, study or business interests, our programme is here to help you settle in and nd your feet in a new country.

The handbook you currently have in front of you is designed to act as a reference point you can use even after the course has nished. We hope it will be useful to you during your rst years in Estonia and will help you nd the correct and up-to-date information on the subject you are interested in. The handbook is updated on a regular basis to make sure the information contained in it is accurate. You can nd the details of the current issue on the back cover. When new versions become available, you can nd them on the website: issuu.com/settleinestonia

INTRODUCTION

He who seeks shall find

There is no doubt that moving to a new country can be challenging. As you immerse yourself into a new culture, it is important to nd ways to spend your free time. This guidebook will o er a look into the many options Estonia o ers you. First things rst, here are useful tips to help you get to know Estonia and Estonian’s:

Take the rst step forward. Estonians are welcoming people, but their reservation is well known. If you want to get to know locals, your neighbours, co-workers etc, just show your interest and make the rst move. You will typically nd Estonians at evening classes, cooking courses or creative activities; at open university courses, in sports clubs, associations, theatres, literary circles and more.

Join clubs/associations. In Estonia, there are a variety of clubs and activities for every taste.

Learn the language. Even though it is time-consuming, and the language might sound di icult, knowing a bit of Estonian will surely pay o and make it easier to adapt. Not to mention, you’ll impress the locals, and surprise yourself!

Meet internationals. There are a lot of international people living in Estonia who have created their own societies and clubs. Find a few of interest and plan to attend their events! This could be a perfect opportunity to meet other international people and learn more about their stories. You’re sure to nd plenty of options that introduce you to Estonian culture.

Volunteer. Volunteering for the community might be one of the best ways to blend into the culture and society. This enables you to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Educate and learn. Estonians are a learning nation. This also means that lifelong learning has never been so simple! Take your time to visit a local library or sign up for courses at open universities. Estonian culture is rich and knowing local poets or writers will help you to settle.

Regardless of who you are, or where you come from, this handbook will introduce you to the opportunities and help you to nd the best way of following these tips. But now, let us start from volunteering!

1. VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering (EE: ) means o ering your time, energy or skills out of your free will and without getting any monetary compensation for it. Volunteers mainly o er their services for the greater good in society. Although for free, some hosts of volunteers may cover the expenses for transportation or accommodation related to the tasks so bear this in mind. First things rst, here are some useful tips to help you get to know Estonia and Estonian’s:

You may also encounter the term voluntary work (EE: ). This type of work is usually done for companies without a salary (i.e. internship) and is not considered volunteering. However, both terms are mistakenly used to indicate volunteering.

Common volunteer activities include: improving local life, environmental protection, contributing to education and research, helping to organise events, outdoor maintenance work, cleaning or xing up communities or heritage buildings, assisting charity organisations, teaching-coaching or collecting donations, providing non-pro t organisations with expert knowledge etc.

In Estonia, volunteering is considered as something: That is done voluntarily

For which no nancial or other material consideration is received (although the bene t may be of another nature; such as necessary knowledge and skills or new acquaintances) Which takes place outside of your home and family, for the bene t of someone else or society at large Who is a volunteer?

Main areas of volunteering

Environment protection and conservation

Education and science

Sport and physical education

Animal protection

Youth work and work with children

Public order, internal security, rescue

You can nd more information about volunteering from the additional booklet Be bold, become a volunteer! or visit vabatahtlikud.ee

1.1. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

Heategu ei roosteta A good deed does not rust

Estonians enjoy volunteering. In 2018, almost half of the Estonians were involved in volunteering. Volunteering is a great option for you to grow your local network, gain skills and experiences in your new country while getting to know local organisations and people. It also helps to understand the local work environment and stay active.

Through volunteer work, not only do you gain satisfaction in knowing you did something good; you also have a chance to adjust to the lifestyle in this new country, practice the Estonian language, and make new friends. Voluntarism o ers positive emotions, a shift from your daily routine, an opportunity for self-development, and it shapes a broader view of the world.

Did you know?

Volunteer’s friend label has been created to support volunteering. The label is awarded to organizations for their outstanding contribution to volunteering in accordance with good practices of volunteer work. The labels are awarded by the Village Movement Kodukant in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior.

Volunteering is a great way to ll a CV with experiences and stand out from other candidates. See more on how volunteering may help you to enter the Estonian labour market in the handbook of working and labour market.

As a volunteer in Estonia, you can:

Do something good and useful. Discover yourself and put yourself to the test. Acquire new knowledge, skills and experience. Find new friends and connections. Spend free time in a fun and activity- lled way. Hopefully also learn some Estonian!

Volunteering enables you to…

Get to know di erent cultures

Improve your chances of nding a job you like

Share professional knowledge and skills

Help the society

Test yourself in a new eld

Gain new knowledge and develop new skills

Contribute to solving an important problem

Spend your free time purposefully

Meet people’s needs

Feel important in the society

Feel emotional satisfaction from activities and achievements

Help other people

Volunteering makes the world a better place!

1.2. HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

The best ways to nd volunteering possibilities in Estonia are either through the websites on volunteering or by contacting the coordinators of di erent events in Estonia (e.g. Tallinn Music Week, Jazzkaar, PÖFF, sports events etc). Alternatively, you can contact the organisations that interest you directly.

Many volunteering opportunities are also provided by the state. For instance, if you are interested in public order or security you can become an assistant police o icer or voluntary rescuer. Please note that in order to become a volunteer for public services, you must be adult, speak at least basic Estonian and maybe have an Estonian citizenship (depending on the recruiter).

You may also get some ideas from the Network of Estonian Nonpro t Organizations (NENO; EE: ), Homestead (EE: ) and National Foundation of Civil Society (EE: , KÜSK; see also the handbook on the Estonian state, society and culture). Of course, you are very welcome to initiate some activities by yourself, without joining any organization, and bringing others into your own created volunteering activity by initiating an NGO, for example. For more information about setting up your own NGOs and initiatives, see the handbook on business and entrepreneurship.

Vabatahtlike värav: a portal and a gateway that lists volunteering options from all around Estonia. You can also submit your own o ers for potential volunteers there. See more at vabatahtlikud.ee/en

Helpi c: a website that brings together people with special needs, and volunteers who are willing to assist them. See more at helpi c.com

SCULT International Sport Volunteers Movement: a website that combines public sports events where volunteers are welcomed. See more at scult.com

Below are a few examples of well-recognized volunteering initiatives that are popular in Estonia:

“Let’s Do It!” campaign is the world’s most famous clean-up day that originated in Estonia in 2008. Over the years, the movement has expanded into a global “Let’s do it, World” endeavour, uniting 21.2 million people across 180 countries and territories. If you would like to see more, follow the link letsdoitworld.org

Opinion Festival is a meeting place for all layers of society, giving a platform for di erent worldviews. Its mission is to improve debate culture and civic education. The festival is free of charge and open to everyone in Estonia and beyond who would like to discuss and tackle issues that matter to all of us. See more at arvamusfestival.ee

“Hooandja” (the Impeller) is an online platform that enables fundraising to implement a variety of ideas. During 2022 Hooandja has granted over 800,000 euros to more than 200 projects. You can also submit your ideas there for the fundraising! See more at hooandja.ee

EstYES promotes youth and cultural exchanges for learning and better mutual understanding, EstYES was a pioneer in organising the international youth voluntary service in Estonia. See more at estyes.ee

AIESEC is an international student-led organisation that connects university students and recent graduates who are interested in self-development, leadership and solving world problems. AIESEC o ers di erent opportunities such as international internships, volunteer projects and conferences. See more at facebook.com/AIESECinEstonia/

It is worth keeping in mind that volunteering can be a great way of practising Estonian! Although di erent organisations may not have the same readiness and capability to welcome foreign volunteers – mainly due to the potential language barrier by the organisation itself, it is always worth asking. Sometimes, the website of an organisation is only in Estonian, but the sta actually communicates well in English or Russian. In general, many organizations are ready to accept people even if their Estonian is not perfect. So why not just to give it a try?

Did you know?

In Estonia, November 26th is celebrated as a Citizenship Day, instituted to highlight the importance of active citizenship, acknowledge the status of the citizen and raise civic pride. Citizenship Day celebrates each and every Estonian citizen and those wishing to become a citizen, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality.

Where to get more information

Vabatahtlike Värav: vabatahtlikud.ee

Work in Estonia Local Life information page: workinestonia.com/everyday-life/local-life/

2. LEISURE ACTIVITES

2.1. NATURE AND TRAVELLING AROUND ESTONIA

Estonians like to spend their holidays and weekends travelling around Estonia. Because Estonia is pretty small in terms of population, there are plenty of picturesque small towns and villages you can visit and explore. This includes many excellent opportunities to enjoy Estonian nature.

Did know?you

Nearly 50% of Estonian land is covered by forests.

When travelling around, it is useful to think about the accommodation (hotels, vacation rentals) in advance and book it before travelling, as otherwise, they might be full. Here in Estonia, the service booking.com is actively used by the people to make necessary pre-arrangements.

Spending time in nature can be considered as one of the most important parts of Estonian culture. Some even say it is the essence of every Estonian. One way or another, many Estonians tend to be very proud of Estonian nature: forests, moors, lakes, coastlines, thousands of small islands, and much more.

To get the most out of Estonian nature, Estonia has set up many hiking trails, huts, camping sites, camp re locations, information points, signs, and much more. All the information about facilities, trails and places to see is found on the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) dedicated website Loodusega Koos (Together with the Nature). For further information, see loodusegakoos.ee

There are o icial Tourist Information Centres in the majority of bigger cities, towns and county centres. Tourist Information Centres are able to supply you with relevant information and advice on local points of interests and activities in the area.

Trying to nd your way around Estonia is made simple through the use of public transportation: trains, buses, planes and so on. On how to nd your way around Estonia, please see more detailed information in the handbook on services.

2.2. SPORTS

Exercise is key in the prevention and treatment of many diseases, and in the process of creating a healthy lifestyle, including relieving the stress which may arise while moving from one country to another. Estonians live an active lifestyle and never miss a chance to cheer for their fellow Estonian athletes. Even if they do it in front of their TVs and sitting on the couches!

It is always useful to know at least some famous names to positively surprise locals. Some notable people include:

Ott Tänak (WRC racer)

Kelly Sildaru (Freestyle skier)

Gerd Kanter (Discus thrower)

Anett Kontaveit (Tennis player) (Road bicycle racer)

Heiki Nabi (Wrestler)

Did you know?

Estonians even have their own sport named kiiking. It was invented in 1993 and involves a modi ed swing in which the rider of the swing tries to go around 360 degrees.

If you wish to participate in sporting events yourself, there are several ways of doing so. In the summer you can engage in many outdoor activities like roller-skating, canoeing, tennis, football, golf, beach volleyball, triathlon etc. There are many lit bike trails on the outskirts of towns and even in the countryside. In the winter, you can (almost) always enjoy skiing, ice skating or snowboarding.

Some of the major annual sports events in Estonia include Iron Man, Simple Session, numerous skiing and marathon championships and much more. Information regarding various sports events is available at the Visit Estonia website visitestonia.com

We also suggest you keep an eye on local news and websites of local authorities. For example, one of the most enjoyable and popular mass-sporting events in Tartu is Tartu Marathon. This series of events include running, cycling and skiing and all the main events are accompanied by smaller events for children of di erent age groups (even the youngest). Find more at their website tartumaraton.ee

The use of health-trails is also popular in Estonia. The trails are usually lit, and you can walk, run, ride a bike, or ski during the winter as well. For more information about the health-trails go to terviserajad.ee. In winter this website is also a great source of information about the skiing conditions of the trails.

In addition, it is possible to practice a variety of sports, such as golf, horseback riding, sailing and much more. So, as you can see, Estonia o ers sporting opportunities similar to any other country. Some Estonians even enjoy ice swimming!

2.3. MUSIC

Estonians are not called a singing nation without a good reason. There are numerous music festivals taking place every season of the year.

Did you know?

The most performed living composer in the world from 2011 to 2018 was Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

The most remarkable is the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration (EE: ), where more than 100,000 people gather in the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds to sing and celebrate together (every four years, the Estonian Youth Song and Dance Celebration is organized). This event is designated as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

If you want to learn more about music events in Estonia visit:

Tallinn Music Week tmw.ee

Estonian Concert concert.ee

Jazz festivals jazzkaar.ee

Folk festival folk.ee

Blues festival augustibluus.ee

More information regarding events is also available on piletilevi.ee and piletimaailm.com websites.

2.4. THEATRES

The Estonian people love the theatre. If we consider the size of the population and the number of theatre visits, which total more than a million (1,12 million visits in 2022), then Estonia has topped Europe and the entire world for years. The theatre scene in Estonia is unusually rich in both form and content.

There are professional state, municipal, and private theatres and numerous amateur theatre groups. The largest of theatres – in terms of both the number of employees and performances – are the Estonia National Opera and the Vanemuine Theatre. From autumn to spring, performances in theatres are usually held at indoor theatre halls; however, during summertime, many theatres deliver performances at various beautiful outdoor locations.

For more information regarding theatres in Estonia please visit Teater (teater.ee) or Estonian National Opera (opera.ee). All the information regarding theatres is also available on piletilevi.ee and piletimaailm.com websites.

2.5. CINEMAS

If you are interested in movies and cinematography, going to the cinema is an option. Besides, there always some Estonian movies in cinemas that you could see. It is also worth seeing some popular Estonian movies to get to know Estonian cinematographic culture even better. Some notable movies include Spring, Names in Marble, The Last Relic, The Fencer and much more. Several lm festivals take place in Estonia every year.

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

Started in 1997, the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) has surely become one of the biggest lm festivals in Northern Europe hosting more than 1000 guests and industry delegates. The festival screens around 250 features and more than 300 shorts and animations and has an attendance of 80 000 people annually.

Tartu Love Film Festival

The Tartu Love Film Festival (Tartu ) is a lm festival taking place in Tartu every summer. Tartu is considered as one of the largest open-air cinema festivals in the Baltic States.

Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival

Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival (HÕFF) is an international lm festival which takes place in Haapsalu every year. Initiated in 2005, HÕFF focuses on horror and fantasy lms.

Did you know?

In 2015, the Estonian movie Tangerines directed by Zaza Urushadze, was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards (Oscars).

Furthermore, some of the major scenes for Christopher Nolan’s Tenet (2020) were shot in various parts of Tallinn.

Some useful links: Forum Cinemas forumcinemas.ee

Cinema “Apollo” apollokino.ee

Cinema “Sõprus” kinosoprus.ee

2.6. MUSEUMS

There are 190 museums in Estonia with di erent collections, ranging from ne arts, nature, and technology to photography and design. They o er permanent and temporary exhibitions and some of the museums provide combination tickets making it easier to visit several museums at once. Like many other European cities, some of the museums may be closed on Mondays.

In total, museums in Estonia hold around 7.4 million museum objects.

Did you know?

Among all European countries, Estonia has the largest number of museums per 100,000 inhabitants.

Once a year, Estonia holds an event called the Night of Museums. This is the time when various Estonian museums all over the country open their doors for visitors for a night of special events and exhibitions. In previous years, over a hundred museum have been participating in the Night of Museums. This is a truly popular event, and the number of visitors is around 100,000 people every year. Make sure to see the event for yourself!

Some of the most popular museums in Estonia

Estonian National Museum (Tartu)

Estonian Literary Museum (Tartu)

Estonian History Museum (Tallinn)

Art Museum of Estonia (Tallinn)

Estonian Museum of Natural History (Tallinn)

Museum of Estonian Architecture (Tallinn)

Estonian Maritime Museum (Tallinn)

Estonian Theatre and Music Museum (Tallinn)

Estonian Sports Museum (Tartu)

Seaplane Harbour (Tallinn)

Estonian Open-Air Museum (Tallinn)

Estonian Aviation Museum (close to Tartu)

MuIS is the museum information system – a web-based work environment to manage museum collections and keep track of state assets. It also helps to make the information kept in the museums accessible to the public.

E-kultuuripärand is a joint information portal of Estonian museums, libraries, archives, and other memory institutions. You can use the portal to search for information on cultural heritage items recorded in the information systems of various memory institutions. The goal is to provide a reliable, accessible and easy-to-follow portal for both the academics and amateur historians. However, most of the information is accessible only in Estonian.

2.7. BUYING TICKETS

Estonia has a highly connected society. You can nd free Wi-Fi connection in restaurants, cafés, and other public places in bigger cities. Outside major cities and Wi-Fi areas, fast mobile internet connection is provided by all major Estonian mobile operators. This means that everyday activities are made as simple as they can be using various IT solutions. For example, you may choose to buy a cinema ticket using your mobile phone applications, park a car with a phone, register courses online etc.

Whatever the cultural event you are attending, almost all the tickets can be bought online. This is mainly done via the two largest online ticket providers Piletilevi and Piletimaailm. Both websites also provide information on upcoming events around the country which makes it comfortable to browse and search for events that interest you. At the same time, you can always buy yourself a ticket at numerous salespoints in person.

For information on di erent events in Estonia, please see:

Apart from traditional museums, we would also suggest you visit Tallinn Zoo (tallinnzoo.ee), Botanic Gardens in Tallinn (botaanikaaed.ee) and Tartu (natmuseum.ut.ee/en) or Tallinn TV Tower (teletorn.ee). Piletilevi piletilevi.ee

piletimaailm.com

3. FAMILY VACATION AND FUN WITH KIDS

There is plenty to do in Estonia for the whole family – both at exciting and educational leisure centres as well as in pure nature where you can engage in various activities in the open air throughout the year and pick berries in the forest in summer.

If you are with kids, one of the places to see is AHHAA Science Centre in Tartu. The Science Centre can surprise with di erent exhibitions, thematic workshops, and scienti c experiments both children and adults alike! More information ahhaa.ee

Another interesting place to mention is Proto Invention Factory in Tallinn. This is a unique place that combines VR technology and old inventions to create a unique experience for people of all ages. More than 20 attractions in total, the factory can t almost 200 visitors to play in the experience stations at the same time. More information prototehas.ee

To get yourself familiar with Estonian children literature characters, you could visit some villages dedicated to Estonian characters. For instance, you can go to Pokuland (EE: ) or Lotte Village (EE: ). Former is the land of characters from The Poku Book (EE: ) written by the famous children’s books writer Edgar Valter. In Pokuland, you can spend pleasant and educational time but also get acquainted with the life and work of Edgar Valter. More information pokumaa.ee

Lottemaa is a small village dedicated to the mischievous puppy girl Lotte, a popular character from popular animated TV series and lms. Lottemaa is open in summer and winter during the festive season where visitors can spend time playing games, creating handicrafts, practising sports and much more. See more at lottemaa.ee

To nd more activities for family and children, you can also visit Kuhu minna lastega website. It o ers a thorough description of all possible places for families with children to visit. See more at kuhuminnalastega.ee

Some cool places to visit with children

Tallinn Zoo tallinnzoo.ee

Vembu-Tembumaa vembu-tembumaa.ee

Vudila Playland vudila.ee

Ilon’s Wonderland salm.ee/en/ilons-wonderland/

Otepää Adventure Park seikluspark.ee

Kiviõli Adventure Park seikluskeskus.ee

Laitse Rally Park laitserallypark.ee

Tartu Toy Museum mm.ee

Mary Magdalene Guild maarjamagdaleenagild.ee

Valgeranna Adventure Park valgerannaseikluspark.ee

Elistvere Animal Park facebook.com/Elistvereloomapark

Alpacafarm alpakafarm.ee

Tallinn TV Tower teletorn.ee

TYPA Centre typa.ee

Tallinn Museum of Orders of Knighthood tallinnmuseum.com

Tervise Paradiis water park terviseparadiis.ee

The Maritime Museum meremuuseum.ee

Kadriorg Palace kadriorumuuseum.ekm.ee

4. MAKING FRIENDS AND NETWORKING Sõpra tunned hädas

A friend is known in times of trouble

4.1. LANGUAGE CAFES

Knowing the Estonian language is important for your life in Estonia and your successful adaptation. This applies even if your working environment is mostly in another language. There are many opportunities to learn or practice Estonian, including language cafés.

Language cafés are often organised for those who want to practice their skills in the Estonian language. This can either be part of an Estonian language course, simply organised by the local libraries or by some other organisations, even by NGOs. In language cafés, you can practice your spoken Estonian in a relaxed and comfortable environment, but you can also network, meet new people and socialise with other foreigners and non-native Estonian speakers. Language cafés are open to everyone regardless of their native language.

PAY ATTENTION!

Some language cafés might expect participants to have a certain degree of pro ciency in Estonian!

Language cafés o ered by Tallinn Central Library: keskraamatukogu.ee/en/language-cafe-library/ by Integration Foundation: integratsioon.ee/en/estonian-language-cafes

See more on Estonian language learning and cafes in the handbook on services and in the handbook on the Estonian state and society.

4.2. INTERNATIONAL HOUSES IN ESTONIA

4.2.1. International House of Estonia

International House of Estonia (IHE), Tallinn, is a joint service centre for foreigners, their family members, entrepreneurs and those returning to Estonia. They provide you with all sorts of practical information on how to manage in Estonia, including hosting events and get-togethers to expand your networks in Estonia. They also host a programme speci cally designed to spouses, which, among other things, helps them to socialise into Estonian society. If you would like to get more information, visit the website below workinestonia.com/internationalhouse

4.2.2. Estonian language houses

Estonian language houses in Narva and Tallinn o er various opportunities for learning Estonian and networking with other internationals. For instance, you can sign up to Estonian language courses, take part in language cafés, visit Estonian language and culture clubs or try digital learning methods. All this can be done in a truly international environment. More information integratsioon.ee

4.2.3. International House Tartu

If you are living in Tartu, the non-governmental organization International House of Tartu can be a place to check out. Its goal is to make your experience in Southern Estonia as good as it can be by providing information and advice about life in Tartu. They have created a platform and opportunity for people to meet and greet, expand their network, discover Southern Estonia and Estonian culture, including learning Estonian and participating in di erent community-driven initiatives. Look it up on Facebook (/internationalhousetartu) or visit internationalhouse.ee to have an overview of their activities.

4.2.4. Tartu Welcome Centre

Tartu Welcome Centre seeks to support newcomers in the process of settling in. This is a small team of local advisers that attempt to make relocation of foreigners to be as smooth and pleasant as possible. Tartu Welcome Centre provides free consultations, networking events and registry services for newcomers in Tartu and South-Estonia. See more at tartuwelcomecentre.ee

4.3. SOCIAL MEDIA GROUPS

Social media groups and sharing information on social media is popular among both native Estonians and foreigners living in Estonia. As in many other countries in the world, people participate in di erent groups and pages where information regarding your city, region or living area in your city is shared. Many organisations and places in Estonia also host their events on social media groups, making it a great platform for staying informed regarding events and activities taking place in your city or community. Therefore, having a social media account might be of great help when staying connected.

The most popular social media platform among Estonians is Facebook and according to recent surveys, almost half of the Estonian population uses it. As such, it is worth searching on Facebook for relevant international groups or events. At the same time, social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok are also popular in Estonia.

Some examples of Estonian-related social media groups on Facebook

Nation-wide groups

Foreigners living in Estonia facebook.com/FLEstonia

Expats & foreigners in Estonia facebook.com/groups/ExpatsEstonia

Around 90% of Estonians use the internet. Social media is used by around 75% of the Estonian population

Tallinn Expats

facebook.com/groups/tallinnexpats

Foreigners in Tartu facebook.com/groups/566151516818945/

Regional groups

Children-oriented groups

Moms of Tallinn

facebook.com/groups/momsoftallinn

Families with kids in Tartu

facebook.com/groups/417568415398708

Housing, jobs and networking

Expat jobs in Tallinn

facebook.com/groups/1602386729990915

Erasmus in Tallinn/accommodation

facebook.com/groups/240149779384739

Sport, activities, leisure

Tallinn Board and Card Games

facebook.com/groups/784755894937413

Book Club Tartu

facebook.com/groups/133573127399516

Language, ethnicity, religion

Españoles en Estonia

facebook.com/groups/230945940336224

Australians and New Zealanders living in Estonia facebook.com/groups/378372742358987

4.4. STUDENT LIFE

Student life in Estonia is rich in its variety and you can always nd new acquaintances and friends by participating in activities listed above. This can be via Erasmus Student Network (ESN), student societies, clubs or else. Some notable examples are listed below.

AIESEC (facebook.com/AIESECinEstonia/) is an international youth organisation that o ers a variety of programs for students, including internships and volunteering opportunities. AIESEC’s o ices are located in Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu.

Erasmus Student Network (ESN; esn.ee) represents exchange students, but all other foreign students are also welcome. Operates with the student-to-student principle. The members of ESN in Estonia are Tallinn University’s International Club (ESN TU), EBS (ESN EBS), the Tartu section (ESN Tartu), the Tallinn section (ESN Tallinn), and the Tallinn University of Technology’s International Club (TUT IC).

AEGEE (aegee-tartu.ee) is one of the biggest student organisations in Europe, uniting 13 000 members from 209 student cities in 40 countries. AEGEE is open to students of all subjects.

BEST (best.ee) is Europe’s largest engineering students’ organisation. Organises lectures and training courses, engineering competitions, and the job fair Key to the Future.

TalTech organisations: taltech.ee/en/student-organisations/

See more information in the handbook on higher education and research.

4.5. NIGHTLIFE

Tallinn is Estonia’s party central. Bars, clubs, and ultra-cool speakeasies are scattered around the city and open pretty late. In Estonia, partying usually takes place on Friday and Saturdays and typically, the age restriction is 18 and older. However, some parties might have an age restriction of 16 and over. Tartu and Tallinn are well known vibrant nightlife destinations among young people and adults alike. In summer, the best nightlife opportunities open up in Pärnu. Many festivals and night concerts take place across the country.

5. YOUTH WORK AND HOBBY EDUCATION

5.1. YOUTH WORK IN ESTONIA

Kersti Kaljulaid Former President of Estonia

Tarkus tuleb tasapisi Wisdom comes gradually

We need to create a safety net for children with such a close eye that no child will fail and get hurt irreversibly.

As a part of youth work in Estonia, various opportunities to spend free time are o ered for people between 7-26 years of old. Youth work in Estonia is organised into sets of di erent activities: hobby education (EE: ), recreational activities (EE: ), youth camps (EE: ), youth work camp (EE: ) and activities carried out at or by the youth centres (EE: ), youth associations and organizations (EE: ), or at the youth participation and representation assemblies (EE: ). Because the age of the target group is wide, quite often the di erent activities are designed for younger age groups only, e.g. pupils from the primary schools, minors between the ages of 13-18 and so on. Quite often, volunteers are also engaged to support the youngest people in these activities. Youth work in Estonia enables young people to be active outside their families and traditional school education. The organisation of youth work proceeds from the following principles:

Youth work is performed for the bene t of and together with young people, involving them in the decision-making process

The conditions for gaining the knowledge and skills are guided by the needs and interests of young people

Youth work is based on the participation of young people

Youth work supports the initiative of young people

Youth work proceeds from the principle of equal treatment, tolerance, and partnership

Therefore, youth work o ers a safe environment to practice the knowledge learnt, organise activities, group work, decision making etc. Attending youth work activities increases the possibility that the child’s problems are noticed and supported if needed.

Usually, children’s interests change over time and they want to try out di erent activities. However, before dropping some of the already ongoing activities, it is worth analysing why your child wants to quit and discuss it with the instructor, trainer or someone else from the organisation. This might help to discover potential problems that your child might be facing and nd alternative activities if needed.

Apart from the abovementioned activities youth work has informative functions for young people, Part of youth work is to provide information for young people when they do not know what to do, how to solve some problems, how to develop their ideas and get them funded, what to study or how to continue their career.

Did you know?

If you are not working or studying or if you are in danger of losing your student status or working place, many organisations can provide you with the support you may need, including personal motivation, setting new goals and getting back on track.

Some organisations and programmes that will support you when needed:

Hoog sisse tallinn.ee/est/noorteinfo/hoog-sisse

Tugila tugila.ee

Noortegarantii tugisüsteem sotsiaalkindlustusamet.ee/et/ngts

5.2.

HOBBY EDUCATION

Youth hobby education (EE: ) and recreational activity (EE: ) is de ned as a systematic and guided activity in one’s area of interest. They are based on a free will and occur outside the formal studies (school) and work. The activities are conducted in order to gain deeper knowledge and skills in a chosen eld of interest. With hobby education, long-term commitment is expected, as learning takes place based on curricula, set up by the hobby-school. Usually, there are several lessons per week over a period of several years. On the other hand, recreational activities are slightly more exible, lasting from once a month to several times a week.

There are hobby schools, in the following elds: sports, technology, nature, general culture, music and arts. These can be sports schools, centres or clubs; technology, nature or creativity clubs or centres, musical or art schools etc.

All these activities, regardless of the age of the participant, are also part of non-formal education (EE: ). These activities are voluntary for all participants and o er good opportunities for applying the knowledge from school to strengthen the person’s abilities in some speci c eld, practice social skills etc.

That is the reason why there is a saying in Estonian that game is a child’s job!

You can nd a list of hobby schools and their contacts from here:

Tallinn: info.haridus.ee/asutused/huvikool

Tartu: arno.tartu.ee/huvikoolid/

Narva: haridus.info/category/huvikoolid/ida-viru-maakondhuvikoolid/narva-linn-ida-viru-maakond-huvikoolid/

You can nd recreational activities for all ages from homepages of hobby schools, schools, universities, youth centres, municipalities and even from message boards, community centres or local shops. It is also worth joining local Facebook groups, as information about smaller-scale or local hobby activities is sometimes spread only in social media. When you live in Tallinn, the information on the following website can be more than helpful for you huvi.tallinn.ee/huvitegevused

If you have already joined and participated in some hobby-related activities before coming to Estonia, do nd similar opportunities to continue here – be it sports, culture, singing, dancing, crafts etc. Larger cities have many hobby schools and clubs where you can follow your favourite hobbies and nd friends.

Depending on the organiser and the location, hobby-related activities are usually chargeable and there may be fees for attending youth work activities. Thus, always make sure you know all possible expenses when it comes to your or your child’s activities and hobbies (for example, if some equipment is needed).

Sporting opportunities

Hobby education also includes sporting activities (not to confuse with general sporting opportunities in Estonia, which are covered in chapter 5.2. of this handbook). First of all, you can use the Estonian Sports Registry to nd those sporting opportunities that are related, in one way or the other, to some speci c curriculum. Its website is in Estonian only, but it contains the most comprehensive information about all kinds of sports and clubs in Estonia. See more at spordiregister.ee

12 TIPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN CHOOSING A HOBBY

Find ways to spend time in your home area.

Find what you like among them and choose a suitable circle or club. You can choose several circles or clubs in the beginning, so you can decide later what suits you best, after trying them out. Some hobby schools o er the rst class for free.

Make sure your activities will not hinder your studies.

Always do your homework rst and only then decide how much time is left for other things. If your school weeks are busy, plan your hobbies for weekends.

Your hobby may be related to your future profession or may help you choose one. For example, if you studied nature in school and participated in student research, you can later take up biology or forestry studies.

A hobby may last a lifetime.

Hobbies help you rest from schoolwork and reenergize for the coming days. Scientists have proved that during recreational activities the brain can continue processing the information learnt earlier, which may help memorizing and systemising new information.

As schoolwork can be pretty intense, doing something else for a change helps restore your energy better. For example, after a school day or on a weekend, go do something active - give your brain a break!

You will meet new people in hobby clubs, so you can widen your circle of acquaintances.

People from various schools attend hobby clubs. You can meet them and maybe nd new friends.

Knowledge and skills acquired in hobby clubs will be of use when you start looking for work.

Pursuing your hobby may help you nd a job.

Did you know?

Almost 60% of Estonian children have found a hobby they like and either go to a training, sports club, music school, take art or performance lessons or else in their free time. On average, each child devotes 4.1 hours to hobbies per week.

5.3. YOUTH CENTRES

A youth centre (EE: ) is a youth work agency whose activities are organised by the local municipalities or non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Youth centre usually has the widest range of services related to youth work and is the primary youth work provider. Depending on the youth work centre, it is possible to take part in several projects, hobby groups but also to initiate your own activities and ideas. Some youth centres also organize youth work camps (EE: ), youth camps etc. Furthermore, the youth centre is a place where young people can just spend their free time, share their problems with youth workers etc.

Did you know?

Around 300 youth centres operate across Estonia where young people can take up new hobbies or simply spend their free time.

5.4. YOUTH CAMPS

There are youth centres in almost every Estonian city and bigger settlements. You can nd the closest youth centre from the webpage of the Association of Estonian Open Youth Centers (AEYC) ank.ee

Youth camps (EE: ) are mostly organised in Estonia during the summertime and/or on school holidays. They are classi ed as permanent camps (EE: ) and project-based camps (EE: ). In youth camps and project camps, children can spend time outdoors (and indoors) with other children of their age, learn new skills and nd new friends. The camps may last from a few days up to 2 weeks. Some camps are organised for families and adults too.

Because youth camps are initiated every year and their shifts and schedules are approved several months before they start (e.g. summer camps are approved by spring) we suggest you start your (online) research early enough to nd a suitable camp, e.g. in case of summer camps already in the early spring. Use the search keywords such as “ ”, “ ”, “ ” or “ ”. Some municipalities may o er cheaper participation in certain camps; some camps provide transport to the camping site.

Due to the language barrier, not all summer camps can accept children that are not uent in Estonian and you might want to contact the organiser beforehand to check the options. Several international youth camps across Estonia as Bellnor Summer Camp and Lõimeleer Summer Camp are held in English and welcome children from all over the world.

5.5. YOUTH WORK CAMP

School youth work camps (EE: or in short) provide an opportunity for young people of school-age (7-26 years old) to perform age-appropriate work during the summer holidays. This includes networking with other participants and earning some money for their work. Some youth work camps are organised for university students (up to the age of 26).

One of the most popular organisers of youth work camps in Estonia is Õpilasmalev. However, youth work camps are organised all over Estonia. Typically, the organisers are local NGOs. Some youth centres, local municipalities and youth camps organise their youth work camps too.

Youth work camps take place in a group of people, usually formed in May. Registration takes place online or through the contact person of organiser and groups ll up very quickly (often within minutes or hours). We recommend you nd the youth work camp that suits you and visit the website well in advance, ideally in spring. This way you can be sure in what is o ered, on what conditions and when the registration starts.

Some examples of malev groups and works performed by them in Õpilasmalev 2020 (malev.ee):

Tallinn, Tallinna Kommunaalteenused: maintenance work, cleaning work. Remuneration: 3.48 €/h. Workday: 4h, followed by joint activities in the group

Tallinn, Telia Eesti: advertising and product introduction in Telia o ices. Remuneration: 3.48 €/h. Workday: 6h, generally followed by joint activities in the group

Vahessaare, Laari Talu: picking berries. Remuneration: 3.5 €/h. Workday: 6h, generally followed by joint activities in the group.

RMK Jalase, Riigimetsa Majandamise Keskus: maintenance work. Remuneration: 3.48 €/h. Workday: 6h, generally followed by joint activities in the group.

Usually, there is a certain registration fee to attend malev.

Young people typically work from 3 to 7 hours per day (depending on age). All participants are paid at least the minimum hourly wage o ered in Estonia ( €4,30 in 2023).

More information about malev youth work camps could be found at the website of malev.ee, estyes.ee, by searching “ ” or “ ” on the internet or by asking from local municipality.

5.6. YOUTH ASSOCIATIONS, ORGANISATIONS AND ASSEMBLIES

There are several youth associations and organisations (EE: ), including youth participation and representation assemblies (EE: ) for networking, developing your skills, gaining experience etc.

5.6.1. Youth associations and organisations

Youth associations and organisations are non-pro t associations where at least two-thirds of the members are young people. Their objective is the organisation and provision of youth work. There are several local and international youth organisations in Estonia.

The aim of the youth participation and representation assemblies (and youth councils) is to enable youth to participate in the decision-making process and protect their interests in spheres that concern them. A participation council usually does not have a legal status. Student councils at schools also function in Estonia as important forms of youth participation.

To learn more about youth participation and representation bodies, check out the website of the Estonian National Youth Council (enl.ee) which is an umbrella organisation and unites 53 youth organisations throughout Estonia.

5.6.2.

Students’ unions at schools (representation assemblies)

In Estonian (higher) education institutions, students’ rights are represented by student councils (EE: in higher education and also ) that represent the rights of their institution’s students; and participate in organising the lives of those in the (higher) education institution. In larger higher education institutions, there are also smaller representative organisations for each faculty and/or institute. Representative organisations are members of all decision-making bodies of the higher education institution and are active in the issues of social grants for students and also organise leisure events. In higher education, each curriculum has its own feedback system and it is also mandatory to involve students in changing the curriculum. In Estonia, councils are not party-political organisations, but members are not prohibited from belonging to parties as well.

A foreign student can participate in student council elections and run oneself. It is also possible to be a volunteer or temporary assistant. To get know more about the student union of your school, search the information from the homepage of your school or contact the teachers to get some hints about nding more information. You can nd further information in the handbook on higher education and research.

The umbrella organisation of all Estonian student councils is the Federation of Estonian Student Unions (Eesti Õpilasesinduste Liit, opilasliit.ee) and for higher education, the Federation of Estonian Student Unions (Eesti Üliõpilaskondade Liit, eyl.ee). These represent students on a national level and are members of several international student organisations.

5.6.3.

Other organisations

There are also 24 academic organisations operating in Estonia, which are the Baltic-German equivalents to fraternities and sororities. These organisations are mainly gender-based and primarily expect local students to be members.

Information Portal Teeviit

The youth information portal Teeviit (teeviit.ee) o ers information for young people concerning education and learning, work and career, relations, health and society. It helps to analyse your experiences gained through attending youth work activities. There you can nd lots of interesting articles on topics that are important to young people. Information concerning events is shared there too.

6. LIFELONG LEARNING

Mida Juku ei õpi, seda Juhan ei tea

What Juku doesn’t learn, Juhan doesn’t know

In Estonia, lifelong learning is highly valued in society. It is based on the shared understanding that we are successful only when we acknowledge the need to constantly learn and relearn and to be proactive and creative so that we can cope in today’s rapidly changing world. There are suitable conditions for lifelong learning regardless of your age or any other circumstances and every person is welcome to continue learning throughout their life.

Did you know?

According to 2018 PISA test, Estonia ranks rst in Europe in all three domains: Reading, Mathematics and Science. See more on PISA results in the handbook on schools and kindergartens.

6.1. LIBRARIES

Estonia is covered with a comprehensive network of libraries. The Estonian library system has a long tradition and is used by every second inhabitant of Estonia.

The network includes 893 libraries of which:

506 are public libraries

39 are science and specialised libraries

348 are school libraries

The task of the state is to guarantee equal free access to information for everyone via the library service. Borrowing books and using the Internet is free of charge in the libraries.

The Estonian library network comprises public, school, science and specialised libraries and the Estonian National Library. Despite their varied tasks and specialisations, all libraries work in close cooperation. The main objective of library services is to make books and information accessible to the readers. All large libraries also provide copying, scanning, printing and binding services for an extra fee. As a rule, copies can be made of library materials (books, journals, newspapers, photos, manuscripts, etc.) if necessary. However, the Copyright Act states that copying is allowed only for personal use or teaching and research purposes; copies cannot be made for commercial purposes.

Libraries in Estonia are not limited to books. They often hold events, presentations, exhibitions and even concerts. It is worth keeping an eye on your local library website to be aware of upcoming events.

Did you know?

The most popular book of 2021 was “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens and was borrowed 8773 times across all the libraries in Estonia

To borrow physical books from the library and use other library services, you need to have a reader’s card. A reader’s card can be obtained directly at the library but you require an ID card or passport for the card. Apart from borrowing books and journals, you can also request unavailable books from other Estonian/foreign libraries and sometimes even borrow items (e.g. board games). Furthermore, you can access wireless Internet and public computers. It is also possible to reserve library rooms for individual study or research.

Below are some of the examples of libraries in Estonia.

6.1.1. Estonian National Library

The Estonian National Library (nlib.ee) is a public institution that collects and preserves books published in Estonia or containing information on Estonia. It also makes these books available to everybody. With research and development in library studies and related disciplines, and with ful lling the duties of a parliamentary and scienti c library.

DIGAR is the e-library environment of the Estonian National Library. It contains books, newspapers, magazines, maps, music sheets, photos, postcards, posters, illustrations, audiobooks, and music les.

6.1.2. Estonian Library for the Blind

Estonian Library for the Blind services people with vision impairment or other disabilities, disorders or diseases that prevent them from reading normal writing. Those people have a chance to order audiobooks to their home and to use the Web Library, which holds 2,400 audiobooks, newspapers and magazines in Estonian and foreign languages. The library and association for the blind also have DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) books. You can nd more info about the Estonian Library for the Blind (in Estonian and English) at their web page epr.ee

6.1.3. Estonian Children’s Literature Centre

The Estonian Children’s Literature Centre collects children’s books, newspapers, magazines, book illustrations, and other material from Estonia and abroad, and studies children’s literature. You can nd more info about the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre elk.ee

6.1.4.

Public libraries

Public libraries are local government institutions the activities of which are coordinated by the Ministry of Culture. Each county has a central library, which serves as a distribution, training and advisory centre for the other local libraries

Some examples of city libraries:

Tallinn keskraamatukogu.ee

Tartu www.luts.ee

Narva narvalib.ee

6.1.5. School libraries

There are 329 school libraries in Estonia. School libraries support the learning process and constitute an important component of an educational establishment. This means that in Estonia, almost every school has its own library. In case there is no library in the school, the local public library shall provide library services to students.

Margus Karu Writer

School is a good invention because it prolongs our youth. You know the saying that time ies when you are having fun? By its very nature, school usually excludes any fun, so time begins to stretch and youth seems longer.

Did you know?

According to a recent study, half (50%) of the Estonian population aged 15 and older had visited the library at least once in 2018.

But did you know this too?

The Estonians tend to have small libraries at their own houses as wellaccording to a recent study, Estonians own 218 books per house and on average, 35% of the respondents of the survey own 350 books or more. This is the highest number in the world.

More information on libraries and databases on the website of the Ministry of Culture: kul.ee/en/cultural-values-and-digital-cultural-heritage/libraries

6.1.6. Information systems to search for items

Estonian libraries have merged their databases into a joint electronic catalogue. You can get to know the system by visiting the homepage of the library or asking from the library.

ESTER is the shared catalogue of 16 major Estonian libraries, and it also contains records of items stored in university colleges and special libraries. Through ESTER, you can access the catalogue by many search options, request items for use on-site or for checking out, send suggestions and purchase recommendations to libraries. See more at ester.ee.

Apart from ESTER, platforms called URRAM and RIKS are also used. These platforms combine school, museum and specialised libraries providing an overview of all the books that these libraries store. See more at lugeja.ee and webriks.ee

6.2. ARCHIVES

Whether you are interested in history, your relatives have Estonian roots, or you simply want to get access to the documented history of the country, we suggest you visit local archives. There are numerous local and regional archives in Estonia. There is also The National Archives of Estonia which is the centre of archival administration in Estonia.

The National Archives ensures preservation and usability of society’s written memory, documented cultural heritage for today's and future generations. The National Archives are comprised of the Historical Archives, the State Archives, the Film Archives and the County Archives. The Historical Archives mainly deal with storing pre-independence era records originating from the period between the 13th and the 20th centuries. The State Archives house documents issued since Estonia gained its independence. The Film Archives contain audio-visual records: photos, lms and sound recordings. Its departments are in Tallinn, Tartu, Rakvere and Valga.

The National Archives are public. Nonetheless, access might be restricted to some public records to protect important public interests and to protect individuals’ private lives from the public eye. To search for the documents preserved in the archives, please visit the Archives Information System AIS. For detailed information about the possibilities of using the archival records, you are welcome to visit a virtual reading room of the National Archives at ra.ee/vau or the homepages of the archives.

6.3. OPEN UNIVERSITY

Töö kiidab tegijat

The work praises the worker

Open university (EE: ) provides an opportunity to take university courses without being an actual student. Estonian universities are committed to o ering everyone the opportunity to pursue higher education regardless of their previous quali cations. For this, opportunities to study are created for everyone regardless of age, background, social status or else. This applies to you if you want to complete your university studies with a exible workload, nish incomplete studies or simply improve your knowledge. An important advantage of the open university is the exibility when choosing courses and an opportunity to put together a program that interests you. As such, open university programmes are o ered for everyone interested in continuing education and boosting career prospects.

Studies take place with regular students in a classroom. People can choose whether to complete one course or the entire study module. To participate in open university courses, you should seek information and enrol in advance. Open University students are generally required to have a good command of the subject matter taught at upper secondary school (or another equivalent level).

Open university courses may have course fees and capacity limitations as some courses are taught in very small classes. Further to that, they are primarily meant for those already living in Estonia.

There are several ways of enrolling yourself to open university courses:

External learning

External studies are suitable for you if you want to continue your studies and your goal is to obtain higher education and diploma. Being an external student enables you to complete the curriculum without being a student. You can take exams, assessments or defend your dissertation. You must have completed at least 15 credits in the past. Tuition fees are paid on the basis of the credits that are taken, the thesis or the nal exam.

Further education

This form of study is the best for you if you want a exible study load, choose subjects based on your wishes, acquire an additional speciality or do retraining. You can choose subjects from bachelor's, master's and doctoral-level curricula and complete them with full-time students.

Taking part in open university programmes

Universities may o er speci c programmes that are unique to each university. For instance, Tallinn University o ers One Year at the University programme. This is a training opportunity for you if you are looking for a exible learning load or if you have not yet found a suitable profession. You can choose between 15 programmes with a volume of 15-24 credits and a duration of one academic year. More information: tlu.ee/dt/sisseastumine/avatud-ope

The courses o ered as part of open university programme vary from business and entrepreneurship, natural sciences, technology and engineering to social sciences, arts and humanities.

Learning options available via the open university programme might be:

Courses on speci c subjects. These courses can last for several days (some speci c training courses, however, can last up to several months) for speci c vocational training or more general introductory and overview programmes on wider subjects.

Degree programme courses. These are courses that are normally part of degree programmes. The courses take place according to the academic calendar and speci c study schedules constructed for each semester.

Courses o ered by enterprises and other private or public establishments.

Upon completion of a programme, participants are issued relevant certi cates.

More information regarding open university and available courses. Tallinn University tlu.ee/en/openlearning

Estonian Business School ebs.ee/en/open-university University of Tartu ut.ee/en/e-learning-possibilities

For more information about the education system and opportunities in Estonia, please refer to the handbook on education.

LIST OF REFERENCES

O icial guides and gateways:

Destination Estonia – Relocation Guide: Compilation of practical info for new arrivals in Estonia

workinestonia.com/coming-to-estonia/relocation-guide/ e-Estonia Portal: eesti.ee – gateway to all government information and public e-services.

Settle in Estonia: settleinestonia.ee – Your guide to settling in Estonia

Roadmap for coming to Estonia: euraxess.ee/estonia/information-assistance/entryconditions-and-residence-permits-estonia/roadmap-visas-entry

Visit Estonia: visitestonia.com - gateway to travel and sights in Estonia

Study in Estonia: studyinestonia.ee gateway to higher education in Estonia

Research in Estonia: researchinestonia.eu — information and news about research activities in Estonia.

Found in Estonia: foundinestonia.ee — bi-weekly podcast sharing stories of people who have moved to Estonia.

Ministries and other institutions:

Ministry of Education and Research: hm.ee/en – education, research and Estonian language.

Ministry of Social A airs: sm.ee/en – health care, labour, social services.

Ministry of Culture: kul.ee/en — information about the state’s culture, sports, arts and heritage conservation activities.

Ministry of Justice: just.ee/en – legal and criminal policy of the state.

Ministry of the Interior: siseministeerium.ee/en – citizenship, migration, identi cation documents and internal security.

Ministry of Foreign A airs: vm.ee/en – security, business diplomacy and human rights.

Estonian Ministry of Economic A airs and Communications: mkm.ee — economy, entrepreneurship, business-academic cooperation.

The Integration Foundation: integratsioon.ee/en – information about adaptation in Estonia, adaptation programme Settle in Estonia, Estonian language courses, citizenship and Estonian Language houses etc.

Estonian Institute: estinst.ee/en/ – information about Estonian society and culture.

EURES: eures.ee/en – pan-European network for job-seekers.

Unemployment Fund: tootukassa.ee/eng – o icial website of Eesti

Töötukassa, which administers the social insurance provisions related to unemployment, and organises labour market services.

Pension Centre: pensionikeskus.ee- information about the Estonian pension system.

Police and Border Guard Board: politsei.ee/en – legal basis for staying in Estonia, identity documents, citizenship.

Police and Border Guard Board Migration Advisors: politsei.ee/en/migration-consultants – free legal advice by PBGB personal advisors about di erent legal grounds to live in Estonia and the necessary documentation

Emergency contacts: 112 - 24/7 emergency telephone number for ambulance, police and rescue workers.

1247 – State helpline for trustworthy governmental information, state measures on coronavirus, psychological rst aid to all in need.

116 006 – Victim support helpline assistance to people who have fallen victim to an o ence, negligence, or mistreatment or experienced physical, psychological, economic, or sexual violence.

1220 – The Medical Counselling Advice Line o ers medical advice (calling from abroad, dial +372 630 4107). 24/7 in Estonian and Russian, between 15.00-17.00 in English

Networking, Volunteering and Leisure Time - Settle in Estonia programme