5. Student support services

Foreign students are entitled to the same support services as home students.

The University of Tartu, the Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University, and the Estonian University of Life Sciences have special foreign student support centres, where specialists can give advice on topics related to residence permits and studies. Just like other students, foreign students can use the services of the career adviser, the psychological counsellor, and the counsellor for students with special needs. Foreign students can also turn to tutors – more experienced students who have completed special training – for help. Furthermore, the Erasmus Student Network offers student-to-student counselling. Support services are free of charge for students.

Foreign students are entitled to the same support services as local students. In addition, larger universities have special centres that cater to foreign students’ more specific questions about residence permits and studying, and that can point you in the right direction: • The University of Tartu, • • Tallinn University of Technology •• • Estonian University of Life Sciences ••• The range of services and their content may vary in different universities. Larger universities are able to offer more services, whereas smaller ones might not have a separate career adviser and psychological counsellor. Generally, the following services are available:

Career counselling – advice, information and training that can help you to plan and promote your career, make decisions concerning education and professional development, and improve job seeking skills. Academic or educational counselling – advice and help in planning studies and with questions about the organization of studies (e.g. the choice of modules, completing the curriculum).

Psychological counselling – trained psychologist’s support in case of study-related problems or difficulties in personal life (this counselling service is available at the University of Tartu, at the Tallinn University of Technology, at Tallinn University, and at the Estonian University of Life Sciences).

Counselling for students with special needs – information about available grants and technical aids; advice and help in adapting to and coping with studies, (this counselling service is available at the University of Tartu, at Tallinn University of Technology, and at Tallinn University).

Tutors – student volunteers who have completed special training and can help first year students and foreign students of their course at the beginning of their studies. Tutors give advice about where to find necessary information, explain the basics on the organisation of studies and study planning opportunities, and help with practical daily issues (the tutor system is in place at the University of Tartu, at Tallinn University of Technology, at Tallinn University, and at the Estonian University of Life Sciences).

Supporting students – student volunteers who have completed special training and help students with special needs (only at the University of Tartu).

Entrepreneurship counselling – assessment of the potential and feasibility of a business idea, help with drawing up a business plan (only at the University of Tartu and Tallinn University of Technology).

Contact details of the counselling centres at larger universities: • The University of Tartu, • • Tallinn University of Technology, •• , ••• • Tallinn University, •••• • Estonian University of Life Sciences, •••••

Rajaleidja (PathFinder) – portal that provides information about study opportunities and career planning, and is geared towards three target groups (young people, adults, career advisers), www.rajaleidja.ee. It also includes a database of professions, ametid. rajaleidja.ee and contact details of study and career advice centres (Rajaleidja centres) in different counties,

www.rajaleidja.ee/ taiskasvanutekarjaariabi/ (in Estonian and Russian)