More foreign students are choosing to study Estonian, unveiling its significant allure.
On a chilly March morning in the heart of Tartu, strange conversations piped up in the crisp air – conversations in Estonian. Polina and Ana, two international students, were discussing a subject that sends many people into a spin – they were, surprise, surprise, speaking Estonian. In a nation where most foreign students opt to enroll in English-language programs, these two were the exception. They chose to learn and use Estonian, and on Estonian Language Day, they had a message: the language is not nearly as impossible as people assume.
"Let's face it, most foreign students enroll in English-language programs. Only six percent of all foreign students study in Estonian-language bachelor's and master's degree programs," Eero Loonurm from the Estonian Education and Youth Board points out. The statistic is a stark reminder of a challenge that small-language nations often face – even as global interest in Estonia grows, its language remains a formidable barrier.
Embracing Estonian – a Day to Reflect and Act
Yet, students like Polina and Ana are living proof that this can change. As Estonia commemorates the Estonian Language Day – Emakeelepaev – on 14 March, the occasion serves as a time for reflection and action, honoring Kristjan Jaak Peterson, a groundbreaking poet who advocated for Estonian as a literary language. The day has been celebrated since 1999, with schools, universities, and cultural institutions across the nation hosting events to celebrate Estonian – not as a relic of the past, but as a living bridge to the future.
Learning Estonian offers a myriad of benefits to international students, giving them a deeper understanding of Estonian society, history, and the everyday aspects that make Estonia, well, Estonia. As Triinu Lillepalu, coordinator of the Study in Estonia student ambassador network explains, "By learning Estonian, international students can better grasp the intricacies of Estonian culture, connect with locals, and enrich their experiences, ultimately enabling them to fully savor their studies and life here."
To those who take the plunge, the rewards are substantial.
"Estonian is not as intimidating as you might think," Polina and Ana argue. They insist that even the dreaded grammatical cases are not as complex as they appear.
Uniting through Language – a Global Connection
If Estonian Language Day teaches us anything beyond its yearly celebrations, it's the transformative power of language learning. Learning a language is an enormous act of connection, linking us to a culture, its people, and its history. As Loonurm says, "It would be wonderful if more Estonians encouraged their friends and acquaintances around the world to start learning Estonian – we'd gain even more connections."
In an increasingly globalized world where English reigns supreme in academia, the presence of students who actively choose Estonian represents something deeper – it's about joining a community, a history, and a way of seeing the world. Embracing the Estonian language is not just about grasping a set of grammatical rules – it's about discovering a new way of thinking, connecting, and growing. And for those brave enough to try, the rewards could very well be life-changing.
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- According to Eero Loonurm from the Estonian Education and Youth Board, most foreign students in Estonia enroll in English-language programs, with only six percent studying in Estonian-language bachelor's and master's degree programs.
- On Estonian Language Day, Polina and Ana, two international students, encourage people to see the Estonian language as less daunting than assumed, arguing that grammatical cases are not as complex as they seem.
- The Estonian Language Day, celebrated since 1999, honors Kristjan Jaak Peterson, a poet who championed Estonian as a literary language, and encourages reflection and action on the importance of the Estonian language in society.
- Embracing Estonian language facilitates a deeper understanding of Estonian society, history, and lifestyle for international students, as explained by Triinu Lillepalu, coordinator of the Study in Estonia student ambassador network.
- By learning Estonian, students can better connect with locals and enrich their experiences in Estonia, ultimately enjoying a fuller appreciation of their studies and life in this foreign land.
- Loonurm suggests that more Estonians encouraging friends and acquaintances worldwide to learn Estonian would broaden connections between Estonia and the global community.
- In a world dominated by English in academia, the presence of students who actively choose to learn Estonian goes beyond language acquisition - it's about joining a community, a history, and a unique way of thinking, connecting, and growing.
