Meaningful research in a magical city: Studying Estonian and Finno-Ugric Languages at the University of Tartu

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Finnish language and literature, Juliet Lehtonen began thinking seriously about continuing her education abroad. “Then it just came to me,” she smiles. “Maybe it could be Estonia.”

Her decision to study at the University of Tartu wasn’t a jump into the unknown. Juliet had travelled widely in Estonia during her childhood, and a visit to Tartu three years before she applied sealed the deal.

“It was summer then,” she says, “and there was something very special about it.”

“It really stuck with me – I wanted to go back.”

Research without boundaries

It’s a bright, snowy January morning when I meet Juliet in Tartu city centre. Now a master’s student in Estonian and Finno-Ugric Languages, Juliet’s mind is on serious business: her final thesis.

While she had plenty of ideas about what to focus on, one topic stood – or rather cried – out to be explored in more depth: the Karelian tradition of lamenting.

Karelian laments are a form of “ritual crying,” Juliet explains. They express grief or mark major transitions in a person’s life, and are performed “at funerals, when a daughter marries and goes to a different family, or maybe when a son leaves for war.”

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And there’s one aspect in particular that really captured her imagination. “I'm a language nerd,” Juliet laughs, “and language is a crucial part of it.”

The words used in Karelian laments are carefully chosen and have to abide by strict rules. “They can’t refer to things directly – they have to find metaphors and other ways to express meaning,” Juliet says.

Visible and valued

While there were Karelian language courses on offer at her university in Finland, it was only when Juliet got to Estonia that she had the chance to explore the topic in real depth.

She puts that down to University of Tartu experts like her supervisor Madis Arukask – a leading specialist in folkloric practices – including ritual crying.

“It’s crazy that I found a person like this here,” Juliet admits. “I remember expressing interest in the topic, then being recommended to contact him – and it turned out great!”

Under Arukask’s mentorship, Juliet’s interest in all things Karelian has continued to grow. She’s become fascinated by the socio-cultural aspects of lamenting, along with debates surrounding the tradition in modern-day Finland.

Many Finno-Ugric languages struggling to survive, so “just doing research on them is a big thing,” Juliet says. Studying them in Estonia has also shown her the impact that raising awareness can have.

“The more research there is, the more visible they are.”

“In Finland, they’re not such a visible part of the culture,” she says, “but, here, so many people know about them already.”

“It’s so cool that Estonian people are so proud of them.”

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Something special

Away from her studies, Juliet has found lots to enjoy in Tartu.

She goes climbing at a local gym – partly for the sport but “mostly to practice my Estonian,” and she’s often surprised at how people are that she – a Finn – is learning their language.

One thing Finns and Estonians definitely have in common is a love for the sauna. However, as Juliet has discovered, things are a little different here.

“I remember going to this sauna and there was a guy playing a didgeridoo,” Juliet laughs, “and people were singing – I found it so beautiful.”

For Estonians, Juliet says, sauna culture is almost “something holy – they put more value in it. In In Finland, you probably have an electric sauna in your apartment, so you go multiple times a week. Now, I do it more rarely, but I appreciate it more – I don't want to rush it.”

A unique way

Juliet has had no problem adjusting to life in Tartu.

Still, she advises prospective students to think about accommodation early – particularly if they want to stay in the student dorms.

“Living costs are way cheaper in Estonia than in Finland,” she says, adding that she’s also really enjoyed sharing apartments with other people.

Although she does miss some things about Finland, it’s definitely close enough for regular trips back. Plus, it’s also easy for family and friends to get to Tartu, and when they do, Juliet has a unique way of showing them around.

“Last autumn my mum and sister came here to run the Tartu Marathon,” she smiles. It was so nice showing the place to my family this way.”

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Opening doors

After her studies, Juliet definitely wants to keep working with languages, diving deeper into ways they interact with culture and society.

“I’m also thinking about ways to connect Estonia and Finland – there's some great Estonian literature that has not been translated into Finnish,” she says.

“Studying in English has opened up a lot of doors too,” Juliet points out. Doing academic writing in English and using the language every day, has given her a real confidence boost.

“Now, if I wanted to apply for a PhD somewhere else, I’d feel comfortable doing that.”

“Honestly, I’d just encourage people to apply,” Juliet says, as our conversation come to an end. “You know how Tartu is – it’s magical.”