Eesti
„Estonia is different” – a good enough reason to move here for five months – for me at least. What I didn’t realize back in January, when I made this questionable decision, was HOW different this beautifully weird country actually is.
I’ve lived abroad before and I’ve always thought of myself as an easily adaptable and emotionally stable person, but ever since moving to Tallinn I’m not so sure anymore. Throughout my time here I have been through more emotional changes than ever before in my life. Happiness, despair, doubt, you name it, I went through it. Now, I have a strong feeling that this is a direct response of trying to befriend Estonians. To say that this is a difficult task is the understatement of the year. However, as the stubborn person I am; the harder things get, the harder I try. Yet after all the work, here I am – one month away from having to go back home – with a bunch of Estonian friends and so much love for this country that I decided to stay for a bit longer. Five more months, to be exact.
What I am trying to say is this: yes, Estonia is different and yes, Estonians are different. But that is what makes this such an exciting country to explore. It might not be easy at first, but it is worth it.
Met an Estonian will be all about the weird, confusing things expats encounter in this country. It will be brutally honest and incredibly sarcastic. Yet through all this sarcasm you need to keep the following in mind – I love Estonia. I love it because everyone and their sisters are wearing reflectors. I love it because I can tell if you’re Estonian or not just by your facial expression (or lack of). I love it because everybody seems to be related somehow. There are so many great reasons why this country is special, and I will tell you all about them throughout the next five months. (I will also practice this special Estonian facial expression… We’ll see how that goes. My apologies in advance.)
Editor: Kärt Mättikas
