Unique and spectacular journey at UniTartu Summer School

Hi, my name is Lucija, and I am a Research Assistant at the Institute for Development and International Relations, Department of Culture and Communications in Zagreb, Croatia. Popular culture has been one of my big interests since I was a student, so I was more than excited when I learned about UniTartu Summer School’s course on the Politics of Popular Culture. What I could not imagine was how amazing this course would actually be.

The course was expertly led by Michael Cole, a PhD candidate at the University of Tartu. His approach to teaching was engaging, insightful, and full of real-world relevance. The classes were interactive, interesting, and always in good spirits, even though the persistent Estonian rain sometimes wanted to bring our spirits down. We tapped into topics that sparked thought-provoking discussions, such as the relationship between sports, populism, and politics, music and politics, street art, and how these phenomena shape societies. Michael’s guidance made every session inspiring, and his vast knowledge brought new dimensions to my understanding of both politics and culture.

Before attending the programme, I did not know much about Estonia, let alone Tartu. However, my time in this city completely changed that, especially since we were honoured to spend our time in Tartu while it was the European Capital of Culture. It is a really cute city with a welcoming vibe, and the events that were happening only enhanced the feeling. We had a chance to explore very cool parts of the town, and I am sure I would like to come back again. From someone who did not know much about this country, I became a person who would talk about Estonia to anybody who wanted to listen.

The social events brought us closer together as a group, and meeting people from all over the world was one of the highlights. The friendships I made over coffee breaks, excursions, and cultural evenings were invaluable. In fact, some of the most memorable moments were the dinner parties that we spontaneously threw. We got to know each other better, shared some music from our countries, ate amazing food, and had a great time together.

The organisation of Summer School was fantastic, and I can not write this properly if I do not mention all the hard work that the organisation team put in so we could have an amazing experience in Tartu. They were kind, understanding, patient, but also warm, welcoming, and funny. It was truly a pleasure to get to know them, and I think the Summer School would not be the same without their effort.

For me, the quote “Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before” (Lady GaGa) says everything I felt about this summer school and the people I met there, whether they were professors, students, or organisers. The entire experience was a journey of personal and professional growth. From acquiring new academic insights to building meaningful connections, UniTartu Summer School exceeded my expectations in every way. If you are interested in popular culture in any way, and if you are just curious or do not know anything about Estonia, I recommend this programme from the bottom of my heart. It is not just a course – it is an unforgettable adventure that opens your mind, gets you new friends and acquaintances, and stays with you long after it is over.

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