In the modern age of increased mobility and globalization, the size and location of Estonia in particular have made it
a clear example of a cultural crossroad
a clear example of a cultural crossroad
Estonia is a country with a historically close knit culture rich in folklore and tradition.
A combination of history and modernization have made the country increasingly more multi-national. As more diverse individuals move here and begin to call Estonia their home the question arises: What does it mean to live in, love, and be a part of what it means to be 'Estonian'? Here are the stories of individuals who, despite not being ethnically 'Estonian' or being born here, have moved here for various work, study, or personal reasons and decided to call Estonia their home.
A combination of history and modernization have made the country increasingly more multi-national. As more diverse individuals move here and begin to call Estonia their home the question arises: What does it mean to live in, love, and be a part of what it means to be 'Estonian'? Here are the stories of individuals who, despite not being ethnically 'Estonian' or being born here, have moved here for various work, study, or personal reasons and decided to call Estonia their home.
| Read more about the project |
New Settlers
Why Young Professionals from Around the World Move to Estonia
Why Young Professionals from Around the World Move to Estonia
Heidi Erbsen
As a young and innovative country, Estonia
has not only attracted various entrepreneurs and business professionals, but it has also provided opportunities for multinational families to find work and live comfortably here. While not every international individual living and working here came with the intention to stay, their stories show various personal, financial, and lifestyle benefits to calling Estonia home.
READ STORIES
has not only attracted various entrepreneurs and business professionals, but it has also provided opportunities for multinational families to find work and live comfortably here. While not every international individual living and working here came with the intention to stay, their stories show various personal, financial, and lifestyle benefits to calling Estonia home.
READ STORIES
"Four out of five kids are in relationships or married with Estonians
and so our grandchildren are Estonian really. Our lives get more and more entwined socially and economically"
and so our grandchildren are Estonian really. Our lives get more and more entwined socially and economically"
Janice Viinalaas
Bright Minds
Students and Academics
with Long-term Plans
in Estonia
Students and Academics
with Long-term Plans
in Estonia
Elisa Ceconi
Whether they came here to study a specific subject or because of the affordable and high quality education, these individuals have found Estonia a comfortable place not only to study and research, but also to call their new home. Many students and academics come to Estonia without clear plans to stay long term. Some however, find that Estonia has more to offer than simply a few years abroad.
READ STORIES
READ STORIES
"I have visited my European countries but when I came to Estonia,
I realized that the people of this small country are different
from what I have seen before"
I realized that the people of this small country are different
from what I have seen before"
Ludmila
Immigrants
in Third Generation
Young Estonian-Russians
in Search of Their Identity
in Third Generation
Young Estonian-Russians
in Search of Their Identity
Ekaterina Tikhonova, Stanislav Yevstifeyev
While native Russian speakers make up a significant portion of Estonia's society, their voices and stories are often left unheard. Even though many of these individuals were born here and have always called Estonia their home, they have a unique perspective on 'what it means to be 'Estonian''. These stories show how family histories, language, and culture may play a significantly different role in Estonian citizens' lives.
READ STORIES
READ STORIES
"Russians and Estonians are different from each other. Both nations have a distinct culture, cuisine, languages and mentality. However, defining yourself as a citizen of Europe is becoming more relevant right now, rather than dividing between Estonian and Russian"
Yana Kondrashova
© 2017 The Multicultural Face of Estonia | Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies | All Right Reserved
