It must be said though, that I can only talk about my personal exchange year,my host family and my school, and of course I can only compare it to my own life back in Germany. Every exchange student experiences Estonia differently. Also I can't write about every little detail, it's for sure that I will forget a lot. (I hope I will find some more things I can add, but this is hopefully enough for the beginning)
FOOD (the most important thing first :D)
-they put sour cream in soups and eat it also to other things
-meat,much more meat. also more fish
-dinner is mostly warm food, so you eat twice a day a warm meal
-no green salad. only carrot , cucumbers or cabbage. I would never have imagined, how much I actually miss it
-bread is eaten to warm meals.
-in general less vegetables
-much quark (Kohuke for example)
-milk is also drunk to every meal
-we drink the water which comes out of the faucet ( in Germany my family buys it)
SCHOOL
-you can retake your exams if you fail
-after each lesson (45 min) there is a 10-15 min break, lunchtime lasts for half an hour
-more projects, therefore technique is much more used, e.g. the students often have to grab samll video clips
-E-kool: homework, grades, class tests---everything can be seen on the school website by you as well as by your parents
-free wifi in school. it's also allowed to use your phone in the breaks. In the classes usually not , but it's not as strict as in Germany
-new subjects: Film, theatre, class teacher lesson ; no religion class
-relation between teacher and student: it's more normal to be friends on facebook, my class also ordered a cake and flowers for my class teachers birthday, you get hugged sometimes by the teacher e.g. on your birthday
-free lunch at 11.30
-stronger schoolspirit, school anthem
-free lunch at 11.30
-stronger schoolspirit, school anthem
EVERYDAY LIFE
-in the evening they usually watch TV
-the kids watch TV and play on the computer / their smart phone more in her freetime
-most families have their own little greenhouse and garden, which is usually bigger
-the fact, that Estonia is so small and has so less inhabitants, is noticeable. Everyone kows everyone. The TV-program is not as good and the news often consists out of small local incidents
-music school: theoretical classes + piano classes additional to the instrument you learn
LIVING
-it's more common that the children move out at the age of 16, to go to a better school (so they live during the week alone, and on the weekends usually with their families)
ENVIRONMENT
-forest and fields
-bogs
-in the forest are growing blueberries and mushrooms
-flat country
-the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, I am always admiring when I ride the bus
-bogs
-in the forest are growing blueberries and mushrooms
-flat country
-the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, I am always admiring when I ride the bus
RULES
-you have to wear a reflector in the winter
-alcohol is allowed at the age of 18
-you can vote online
-electronic identity card
-it's very easy to found a startup company
-alcohol is allowed at the age of 18
-you can vote online
-electronic identity card
-it's very easy to found a startup company
CULTURE
-are in contrary to Germans very proud of their country, everyone knows the national anthem
-yes, the stereotype of the typical Estonian definitely exists. They come across as cold and quiet, but of course every Estonian is different, and only a few are matching to the stereotype
-visit sauna often
SPECIAL DAYS
-1. September (school start): ceremony, you give flowers to the teacher
-Mardipäev: the older kids dress up in black, paint mustaches on their faces and pretend to be Mardi/Martin, who is asking for sweets
-Kardipäev: the younger kids dress up all white, ask also for sweets
-December : every day the päkapikkud visit and bring you little sweets
Christmas :Santa Claus comes and you go to the graveyard
-Vastlapäev: you ride the sledge and eat traditional food like pea soup and vastukuklid, a bisquit with whipped cream at the last day before the period of fasting begins
-independence days
-December : every day the päkapikkud visit and bring you little sweets
Christmas :Santa Claus comes and you go to the graveyard
-Vastlapäev: you ride the sledge and eat traditional food like pea soup and vastukuklid, a bisquit with whipped cream at the last day before the period of fasting begins
-independence days
14 Februar: Independence 1918- free school day, military parade, special TV program
-Jaanipäev: the longest day of the year, it doesn't get dark at all. Estonians light up bonfires and celebrate
PRICES
-Internet is very cheap (about 1Euro for 1GB)
-cosmetica is expensive
-bus tickets. very cheap. (I pay about 2.15 for 45 km)
-alcohol is very cheap, at least cheaper than in Finland, that's why many Finnish people take the ferry to Estonia to buy loads of it
-chocolate is more expensive also :(
-chocolate is more expensive also :(
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