Veronica studies Russian and Politics at Queen Mary University of London and was looking forward to a year abroad in Russia. However, a redirection to Estonia saw a shift from apprehension to real appreciation.

As I sit down to write about my year abroad studying Russian in Tallinn, Estonia, I can’t help but feel grateful for the experience. Being a student of Russian and Politics at Queen Mary University of London, I was always excited about studying abroad in Russia. However, due to the war in Ukraine, my university had to scrap the plan, and I found myself being redirected to Estonia. Little did I know at the time that my year abroad studying in Tallinn was soon going to become the highlight of the highlights of my life so far.

Initially, I was a little apprehensive about the idea of studying in Estonia as I had little knowledge about the country, but as I started researching about it, I got more and more excited. Estonia is a small country located in the Baltic region of Europe, and it’s known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. I was intrigued to explore this new place and learn about its people, traditions, and language.

When I arrived in Tallinn I was surprised by the beauty of the city. It’s a medieval city, and its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. I was fascinated by the architecture, the narrow cobblestone streets, and the colourful buildings. I felt like I had stepped back in time.

I lived with a friend in a flat that we found through the help of our course organisers in Estonia. The flat was close to the Old Town and had its own private sauna. It gave us a taste of life as an Estonian, and we enjoyed every moment of it. We tried our hand at cooking traditional Estonian meals, explored the city on foot, and even went to a sauna on the beach followed by a dip in the freezing Baltic Sea.

I love food, and the culinary scene in Tallinn was one of the best things about my year abroad. Estonian cuisine is a fusion of Scandinavian, Russian, and German influences, and it’s known for its simplicity and use of fresh, local ingredients. I tried some of the most delicious dishes like black bread, smoked fish, and elk stew. I also got to taste traditional Estonian sweets and had the chance to participate in a chocolate-making workshop in the flagship store of Estonia’s most famous chocolate brand, Kalev.

I have to make special mention of the coffee and pastries that I have had during my year abroad. They are taken very seriously in Tallinn and the city even holds an annual Bread Festival to celebrate its amazing bakers from all over the country. There are countless cafes scattered across town, from Fika and F-hoone in hipster Telliskivi Creative Centre to RØST in the stylish Rotermanni and not forgetting about the bakery that makes the best sourdough bread, Bekker, situated at the edge of Pelgulinn. The best part about this? Everything can be ordered through Wolt or Bolt and it will be delivered in 20 minutes by friendly couriers that repeatedly go above and beyond.

I had the opportunity to take part in various cultural activities, such as going to see a play fully in Russian at Estonia’s Russian Theatre, visiting museums, and attending language exchanges with local Russians. I even got to celebrate a traditional Russian festival called Масленица (Maslenitsa), where we ate блины (pancakes) and welcomed the arrival of spring.

I made the most of my time in Tallinn and traveled around Estonia and Finland. Estonia is a small country, but it’s packed with natural beauty. I visited Lahemaa National Park, which is known for its forests, lakes, and beaches. I also went to the island of Saaremaa, where I saw the beautiful Panga Cliff and visited an ancient castle.

During the winters months, which are long and freezing cold, Tallinn turns into a real-life fairy-tale. Fairy lights decorate the Old Town and shine in contrast with the snow-covered buildings and streets.

One of the highlights of my year abroad was seeing the northern lights. I went on a tour to the Finnish Lapland, and it was a surreal experience. I skied for the first time and saw the lights across the sky. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.

Studying Russian in Tallinn was a challenging but rewarding experience. The course was intensive, and I had to put in a lot of effort to keep up with the pace. I also had to go out of my way to visit Russian-speaking cafes and restaurants more than I would have had to in Russia. However, I had plenty of practice and my teachers were amazing. They definitely made the learning experience enjoyable.

I received funding through the Turing scheme, which was extremely helpful in paying for those extra cultural activities that made my stay in Tallinn so fulfilling. I wouldn’t have been able to do half the things I did without this support, and I’m grateful for the opportunity.

In conclusion, my year abroad studying Russian in Tallinn, Estonia, was an incredible experience. I got to explore a new country, improve my Russian, learn a few words in a new language (Estonian), and make amazing memories. The city, the people, and the culture will always hold a special place in my heart, and I hope to one day return and explore this wonderful city and see how it evolves.