7. Student organisations and networks

Most universities have students’ unions which represent students interests and protect their rights at the university.

7.1 Students’ unions at universities

In Estonian higher education institutions, students’ rights are represented by student councils 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 in each faculty and/or institute. Representative organisations are members in 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. The representations in various schools are different, but involving them in decision-making is mandatory. Each curriculum also 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 also run himself or herself. It is also possible to be a volunteer or a temporary assistant. So far, foreign students have mainly been passive in participating in the work of councils, but they are welcome and their contribution is necessary.

Contact details of students’ unions at different universities:

• The University of Tartu, www.tyye.ee • Tallinn University of Technology, • • Tallinn University, www.esindus.ee • Estonian University of Life Sciences, www.ye.emu.ee/eng • Estonian Academy of Arts: •• • Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, www.facebook.com/EMTAesindus (in Estonian) • Estonian Business School, www.ebs.ee/et/bakalaureuseope/ yliopilasesindus (in Estonian) • Euroacademy, ••• The umbrella organisation of all Estonian councils is the Federation of Estonian Student Unions (EÜL). The EÜL represents students on a national level and is a member of several international student organisations, such as the European Students Union, the National Unions of Students of Nordic Countries (NOM), etc. The EÜL is Estonia’s official representative of the international ISIC card aimed at pupils, students, teachers and young people, www.eyl.ee.

Information about discounts in other countries is available on the website: www.isic.org.

7.2 International student organisations’ local offices in estonia

AIESEC – this international youth organisation offers students a variety of programs, including internships and volunteering opportunities. AIESEC’s offices are located in Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu, www.aiesec.ee

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) – represents exchange students, but all other foreign students are also welcome. Operates with the studentto-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), www.esn.ee

7.3 Other organisations

There are also 24 academic organisations in Estonia, which are the Baltic-German equivalents to fraternities and sororities. These organisations are mainly gender-based and primarily expect local students. AEGEE – one of the biggest student organisations in Europe, uniting 13000 members from 209 student cities in 40 countries. AEGEE is open to students of all subjects, www.aegee-tallinn.ee

BEST – Europe’s largest engineering students’ organisation. Organises lectures and training courses, engineering competitions, and the job fair Key to the Future, www.best.ee/index. php/en

Most universities also have subject and hobby groups / clubs (e.g. choirs, bands, student theatre, etc.) You can find more information on each university’s website, other students in your field or from a student counsellor.