Eesti
Describe yourself shortly
Sounds like a tricky question but let’s give it a go. I am a 21-year-old multipotentialite, who is trying to live the most exciting, adventurous and interesting life.
Three facts about you
- I am a one-time Tallinn Youth Champion in hammer throwing.
- I won a cross Estonian coding competition at the age of 16 with my cousin, went to Microsoft HQ in Brussels for the final, had a blast learning 3D printing and robotics form professionals. And we had to present our educational game in front of Microsoft board. Not scary at all.
- travel alone frequently – recently I almost froze to death at 5 in the morning, but fortunately decided to knock on some stranger’s door and spend 5h with strange old men trying to converse in Polish, until my bus came. Fun times.
How did you find your way to EBS?
It was a cumulation of a series of (un)fortunate events. Firstly, I decided to switch from my then current major of Game Design and Development as it was not challenging enough in that particular university. Then, it was the middle of August when I received news that my chosen option for a Business major in a Chinese university was, after all, not going to work out. I was on a cross Europe trip and frankly, quite dumbfounded by the news. As all the application deadlines for almost all universities in the world had passed, I got help from my dad, who suggested I take a look at EBS. He himself got a BBA there in 2004. The deadline turned out to be almost the next day, but I managed. Oh, and I had to conduct the interview in my car, as there were no alternatives around.
You were in the US in the summer. What did you do, see and experience there?
It was the most difficult, rewarding and interesting adventure. I got to experience first-hand how different people can be, how it is to be surrounded by police for sitting under a tree having lunch, how it feels to get literally dozens of doors in your face every day, how to get free lunches, snacks, dinners, burgers, bibles, shirts, rides, bikes and so, so much more. I learned to let go of the social norms and live life like it was a game. Plus, how to speak like a true Alabaman redneck, accent and all. Yeah, useful skill, I know. There is no limit to all the things I saw, did and learned. And, there is an infinite amount of cool stories I came home with. For example, I met cops who would not let me go until they had completed a long self-defence class with me, I met people who felt so bad for me riding my bike in super intense/dangerous weather conditions, that they offered me their set of china from the attic that was originally meant to be an heirloom to be passed to future grandchildren, so that I could sell it on eBay and have at least some compensation for my struggles. I have never cried as much, never been as afraid, never felt this tsunami of emotions before, but also never grown as a person as much as I did then. Totally worth it.
You started your exchange year in SolBridge, South-Korea this autumn. What are the biggest differences between Estonia and South-Korea?
Chopsticks. Haha okay, but really, I don’t remember how a fork and a knife work and look like anymore. However, the differences are even more drastic compared to the US. I was there for 3 months, came back to Estonia for a whopping 2 days, and then flew to Korea. Surprisingly, I felt more at home here than in the US. I expected to be familiar with the American culture and ways, as almost all the media we consume is American. And, being a huge fan of movies, games and TV shows, I felt confident that there would not be many new surprises. Oh boy how wrong I was. So, coming to South-Korea felt like a much-needed step back to Estonian values. Sure, I am constantly the only blonde and tall person in sight, might get stopped by elders commenting on my exotic appearance, might be eating rice for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, drink a lot of bubble tea, ascend a lot of tall buildings, live in a city with more people in it than in the whole of Estonia, but I feel right at home. People here have a way of living that is respectful, full of old values and traditions. Even if all the stores only sell one-size-fits-all-skinny-Koreans clothes and very few people speak English, I can actually see myself living here for a longer period of time. All the views, mountains, people, restaurants, arcades, PC rooms, street food, art and culture make it a special, unique home.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love to spend my time cooking, baking cakes (take a look-http://cakebosserin.blogspot.com), thinking, studying (does not have to be related to school), practicing art (sculpting, drawing), going out with friends, having substantial conversations (even these 2 hour ones with myself on snapchat, sorry friends for crashing the app for you), programming, going to the PC room (aka gaming), making games in Game Jams, listening to music, training some, watching TV series/movies/videos, trying out different restaurants/ street food, taking part in youth exchanges, volunteering, scouting out new opportunities and so on. Basically, I do everything. I am never bored.
What are your favourite places in the world?
I have a special place everywhere I go. Back home it is in a forest with a view onto Tallinn’s bay. Or my car, as there I have the freedom to go literally anywhere. Here in Korea it is the rooftop of my dorm with a more than an amazing view. But overall, I think every place I travel to is special, and that people are what makes a place precious. Even if it is the absence of people. It is also true that a place will be only as special as you make it.
If you were able to set aside work and all other responsibilities, what would you immediately do?
I would go to Starfleet Academy, become a captain of an interstellar spacecraft, fly to space and explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no one has gone before.
Or, on an Earthlier note, I would establish a comprehensive art centre and start being a real-life Tony Stark.
What are your ambitions and dreams that you want to fulfil in the next 20 years?
I have so many interests that it is hard for me to decide on a select few. But art will always be in the centre and soul of my dreams. I want to create an establishment which would celebrate art in all of its forms- from the classic, more complicated forms to the modern, abstract visions. Paintings, sculptures, music, fashion, you name it. My lifelong goal however is to become a cyborg. I also want to create a company that revolutionizes cybernetics, Big Data and IoT, which would enable the human race to become an intelligent, integrated organism. And I want to keep developing myself, learning at least one skill a year, constantly improving my qualities and striving towards a ‘perfect me’. Knowledge is power, persistence is key.
Quote that you live by?
There are quite a few with a common theme- excellence. Dreams change the world. Everything is possible, absolutely everything. Life is a game, just don’t die before you complete some awesome quests.
And a favorite quote: “I once dug a pit and filled it with clouds….or was it clowns…. well whichever it was it began to smell…Ahah! must have been clowns. Clouds don’t smell, they taste of butter. And tears.” – Sheogorath
Editor: Tea Teesalu
