International study programme brought 16 San Diego State University students to Estonia

From 28 December to 10 January, students from UT’s partner university participated in the continuing education programme “Russia and Estonia in the European Dimension” which gave them an overview of Estonian-Russian relations, history, cooperation and future perspectives. Particular attention was paid to security in the region.

“The international study programme takes place in the context of long-term cooperation. In earlier years, participants have highlighted our extensive programmes and competent lecturers and we hope that also in future, students from the United States of America come to study in Estonia,” said programme director for the UT International Summer University Mari-Ann Susi.

The lectures of the programme were delivered by UT faculty members Andrey Makarychev, Andres Kasekamp, Piret Ehin, Viktor Trasberg and Eoin McNamara.

Feedback to the programme has been highly positive. Students emphasised the competence of the teaching staff and noted that direct contacts make it possible to understand better what is going on in Estonia.

“I value very highly the study abroad programmes. You can learn about another culture in the classroom but to really understand people you need to communicate with them in their home town,” said Dale Bullington, student of San Diego State University. His opinion was supported by another participant Colin Campbell, who particularly appreciated the lecture “Russian-speaking minority in Estonia 25 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union”, especially the information it gave about the Estonia’s recent history and the relationships of the Russian- and Estonian-speaking population. “This lecture gave us insight into the Estonian perspective to international relations,” said Campbell.

In addition to academic lectures and seminars, the course included a rich and varied cultural programme in Tartu, St. Petersburg and Tallinn. The participants also visited the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn.

Additional information: Mari-Ann Susi, programme director for UT International Summer University, +372 501 4388, mari-ann.susi@ut.ee, www.isu.ut.ee