A practical roadmap for young Estonians abroad: how to find the best internship in Estonia
Author:
Liina Viies
Curator of the Global Estonian Internship Program, Diplomat, counsellor on Diaspora Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
If you live abroad but feel that Estonia could be the place to test your professional ambitions, the Global Estonian Internship Programme is definitely worth exploring. It offers a chance to come to Estonia, develop your skills, build new professional connections, and strengthen your ties to your roots.
However, there is one important requirement for applying for the scholarship: you must already have a confirmed internship placement.
So how do you find one when you live far away and Estonia’s job market feels distant and unfamiliar?
Everything starts with one simple question: what do you actually want to do?
Before browsing company websites, take a moment to reflect on which field excites you, what your strengths are, and what you would like to develop further. Most of the young people in our programme come to Estonia to complete an internship related to their studies, often as part of their university requirements. But we have also had participants who chose to explore uniquely Estonian topics: last year, Cedrik from Canada wanted to restore his grandfather’s sauna and learn authentic Estonian woodworking, while Skylar was fascinated by Estonia’s rally culture.
Once your goal is clear, the entire search process becomes easier and much more intentional.
Estonia is small and that makes searching surprisingly effective.
Often, a single conversation with a relative, acquaintance, or community member is enough to reach the right people. In Estonia, the golden rule applies: everyone is only two phone calls away. If you know which field you’re targeting, ask whether someone in your network works in that sector or knows someone who does. This is often the quickest door-opener, because you’ll usually get a direct recommendation as well.
If a company catches your eye, take time to do a little background research.
Read their website, look at their values and consider whether you could see yourself working there. Check what is written about the company and what their reputation is like. If the company operates in your country of residence, that’s an extra advantage, it may open doors for you after graduation.
Estonia is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises, which often offer exciting opportunities for young people. A reminder: the Global Estonian Internship Programme requires the internship to take place in Estonia. And since the scholarship is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and administered by ESTDEV, these two institutions are excluded as internship hosts.
Most importantly: don’t be afraid to take the first step and reach out.
Write to the recruiter or HR manager, attach your CV and motivation letter, and explain why this specific organisation interests you and what you value you bring.
Be sure to mention that you plan to apply for the Global Estonian Internship Programme scholarship. This gives the company confidence that your move from abroad is well thought out and supported.
Don’t worry if your Estonian isn’t fluent yet, there are internship opportunities for you as well. In that case, aim more for internationally oriented companies. And you can always practice Estonian in everyday situations: in shops, cafés, or even on the tram. A couple of years ago, Cole from USA surprised us with how quickly he picked up the language simply by doing exactly that.
Proactivity is valued in Estonia, and it often opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
When searching for an internship, flexibility is key. Spring is the most competitive time, as Estonian students are also looking for summer placements. Our programme runs from May to November. A small tip: if possible, plan your internship for May or autumn as by then, potential supervisors have usually returned from summer holidays. And if your dream company says “no”, try the next one. Sometimes you’ll end up with an opportunity you never expected.
Keep in mind that many large Estonian companies such as Telia, Tele2, Sorainen, Bolt, Miltton New Nordics, Ericsson Estonia, Inbank, Swedbank, Tallink and many others have their own internship programmes that can attract hundreds of applicants. Competition is tough, but don’t be discouraged, they might be looking for someone exactly like you. Many Estonian employers value genuine motivation, international experience, and language skills. These companies often have their own compensation schemes, and if you make it through the selection process, you may even be offered a direct contract. They are actively looking for future talent and colleagues.
One more important tip: keep your LinkedIn profile and CV up to date.
Even if you have limited work experience, include your volunteer work, courses, projects, and hobbies that demonstrate your commitment. Estonian employers pay close attention to a young person’s background, and LinkedIn is also a great place to search and apply for internships.
To give you a sense of where a well-chosen internship can lead, let’s recall the story of Lasse Leminsky, a participant in last year’s programme. Born in Hamburg, Germany, and studying in Finland, Lasse found an internship at HHLA TK Estonia terminal in Muuga. During his internship, he worked on the company’s business continuity plan and risk analysis, participated in operational meetings, collaborated with department heads, and presented his ideas to management. He also helped host German journalists visiting the terminal.
Thanks to the Global Estonian scholarship, Lasse moved to Tallinn for the internship and the highlight of his story is the recognition he received. In autumn, Lasse won the title of “Best Internship 2025” in the competition organised by the Estonian Employers’ Confederation. His story is a perfect example of how one well‑crafted e-mail can change your life.
If you feel you need additional help, you can send your CV and motivation letter to diaspora@mfa.ee.
The right internship may be just one step away and the Global Estonian Programme is here to help you.
Scholarship applications are open until 31 March 2026.
WHERE TO FIND INTERNSHIPS
Kuhhuu – student‑created platform with 170 internship opportunities.
3 days for free, annual access €6.99.
CV‑Online – internship listings
LinkedIn – internships appear regularly on the job board
Futulab
Talent Portal – internships and jobs for students
University of Tartu Traineeship Hub – internship and job offers
TalTech Career Portal – overview of technical internships
Estonian University of Life Sciences Internship Portal – internships and jobs for students
Heateo Sihtasutus – volunteer opportunities that can be turned into internships
