Estonia

What the **** is Estonia?

If you never heard Estonia before, be ready to be surprised.

We are Just Estonishing!

100 years old

History?

Might not be interesting topic for all, so long story short-we fought our independence
from Soviet Union. We used to have our own currency until 2011, KROON, after this
lovely unlogical different sized euro came.

Highlights of Estonia

First you think “Do they even have internet or are they speaking russian?”, right. In fact,
we don’t have to leave our house to sign whatever contract you have to, for example to
open a new bank account is easypeasy.

We all have heard that Skype and Transferwise and they are born in Estonia. Not
showing off here.

I-voting since 2005. Self driving busses 2017. (https://e-estonia.com/)

Our president is Kersti Kaljulaid, a woman.

Last president is here, look at him. He made selfie at the opening of the 26. Song Festival
on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.

How cool is that?

Nature & Climate

It’s not even funny that we can’t climb, cause we don’t have any mountains, only
highest point we have is the Suur Munamägi (we call it big egg mountain) in the
southeast at 318 metres. Though we have 3,794 kilometres of coastline marked
by numerous bays, straits, and inlets. 50% of Estonia's territory is covered by forest
land. The number of islands and islets is estimated at some 2,355 (including those
in lakes).

We say that we have five seasons, classic ones and one extra when everything is
flooding. We have different capitals for different seasons. Record high temperature
was 35,6 °C and lowest -36,8°C.

People

Estonia is well known for beautiful girls. Also maybe thanks to Kelly Sildaru-youngest
X games winner, Ott Tänak-WRC driver or Arvo Pärt-famous composer. We are really
proud of them. Google helps (as always) if you want to have some additional information
about them.

Festivals

WKND- Weekend Festival Baltic! 3 days in August at Pärnu beach with The Prodigy,
Post Malone, KYGO, Hardwell, David Guetta, Axwell Ingrosso, Afrojack etc.

Õllesummer, since 1996 estonians most adored festival with bands from homeland
also from behind seven seas, and of course delicious food and beer.

Valgus kõnnib Kadriorus, direct translation means Light is walking in Kadriorg and
it looks like this:

   

The sweetest for last..Laulu-ja tantsupidu! The most important cultural events of
Estonia. The Song and Dance Celebration and The Youth Song and Dance Celebrations!
They only take place every five years. First one took place in 1869 in Tartu. Next Song and
Dance Celebration takes place in 2019 and Youths in 2022. Last one in 2014 had
153 000 visitors, 33 000 singers and 10 000 dancers. Youth Celebration is UNESCO
World Heritage Event. We’re happy to share more about it when we’ll see!

Some more-or-less interesting facts

• The current national military service (Estonian: ajateenistus) is compulsory for men between 18 and 28, and conscripts serve eight-month to eleven-month tours of duty depending on the army branch they serve in.
• In 2017, the average monthly gross salary in Estonia was €1221.
• Europa saunamarathon is happening every year in Otepää, where you can “relax” in eleven different saunas. There are rules, which you have to follow, because it’s a competition.
• In winter, when it’s cold enough, we are driving with cars over the sea to our islands like Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joOyBji_LUk)

                                                                           By Janet Kukk and edited by Karmen Kullamaa

_______________________________

Who are we?    

My name is Kristi and I am one of the group leaders from Estonia. I work in international

youth-work field and about to graduate my studies in youth-work. I love to travel, dance and

extremes. I am very exited for the upcoming project as I really like to test my limits as I feel

this is the way we get better and better with different things.

Hey! I'm Janet, 22, graduated marketing-specialist, ex Au-pair, loving daughter, sister, aunt

and friend, not religious but spiritual, fascinated about personal-growth, love to do sports (discgolf)

& read books, always ready to meet people, enthusiastic shishasmoker 😜

I returned from Germany about month ago and now I need to figure out what's my next big

adventure and I'm hoping to discover things I didn't know before with this project and find my way.

My name is Karmen. I am from beautiful country named Estonia, where you all have a chance

to come. I graduated studies in marketing 2 years ago, after that I have been working on this field

and travelling (what I love to do a lot), also have been relatively active in Erasmus world (different

youth exchanges and training courses here and there), I think exactly non-formal education is the

key for further self-development and every project is special and useful in many ways.

My name is Eliisa and I'm 18 years old student. I have participated in about ten projects by now.

In my free time you can find me reading a good book, writing something, playing piano or guitar or

maybe dancing. After graduation I want to start studying medicine and become a good doctor

My name is Herkko Sõber (Sõber translated to English means friend). I am from Estonia. I

graduated studies in IT 4 months ago. I like traveling, photography and making movies. I really

want to meet you all and let’s make this project memorable!

Margarita: I'm full of positive energy and I like to share it with others. I am absolutely fascinated

about how many beautiful languages and cultures there are in the world and I cannot wait to learn

more about them.

Hi there, Im Maria-  member of Estonia team . I graduated studies in Earth Science 2 years ago.

Then I took my backpack and went to travel and time to time was participating in youth exchanges.

I got addicted to participating in youth exchanges, because they bring a lot of new people,

experience, memories, feelings to my life, also it’s the way I go out of my comfort zone. I like

camping, hiking, dancing, playing board games, singing and cooking.

My name is Railika. I finished 11th grade and start my last year of high school in the fall. I enjoy

playing cards, playing the ukulele and making people laugh. If I seem tired in the beginning of the

project, that's because it's difficult to sleep in the woods. Anyway, hope we all have fun and learn

some new things as well.

My name is Heleri & I'm from South Estonia. I am the second ( supportive) group leader of

Estonian team. I will join exchange together with Helena, my 9 months old daughter. She has

already been to training course in Greece, so it is her second Erasmus plus project :)

I have been involved in international projects quite a lot, so this time I am little bit in background

and want to give others the chance to take initiative. Otherwise I enjoy travelling, good

conversations, board games, swimming and sun :)