From abroad to Estonia: Skylar’s journey through the internship programme

As I soared through the night sky, my body was filled with electric jitters of anticipation – wonders about the undefined world of possibilities I was about to enter led my mind. It was my first time flying, my first time traveling alone, and I was heading back to my roots – to live in Tallinn, Estonia, for roughly 2 months. 

My days were spent working under an internship out in the Turba region at the MOMU Motorsport Museum – a stunning old electrical powerplant building, now freshly renovated to house over 200 cars, motorbikes and boats. From the moment I arrived, I was stunned by the architectural beauty. The red brick, the grand windows and the elegant arches really captured my attention. Out front a lush purple and green garden bloomed, attracting the buzzing bees who lived in their hives just thirty feet further back. The whole scene felt like a hidden paradise grounded in the serenity of the undiscovered place of Turba. 

I quickly built a warm connection with my boss Tiiu Niglas and coworkers as we collaborated on organizing local events: the annual café, a percussion concert, and guided walk-through tours for guests. The workplace was predominantly Estonian-speaking which gave me a perfect chance to adopt new words and refine my language skills in a welcoming, immersive environment. 

But that wasn’t the only place for a linguistic trial. I practiced wherever I could – ordering coffee, buying train tickets, chatting with relatives and new friends. It was language learning that didn’t feel like work – more like a passive flow in a stream. What made it enjoyable was the people and community, which was the highlight of my journey. I connected with individuals from all walks of life, each with their unique perspectives and stories. Defining an Estonian isn’t easy – yes, the stereotype is true: we are reserved on the outside, and to a foreigner, it can feel cold. But once you find a thread of commonality, we open up like waterlilies after a cold night – full of creativity, depth and warmth. 

My boss once joked, “An Estonian man loved his wife so much… he almost told her”. That one stuck with me. But luckily, I found many opportunities to break the ice – often through a shared love of cars. The automotive scene in Estonia was alive as I expected, booming with drift and rally lovers, giving me a foundation to bond with people who spoke the same language of passion even though our mother tongues differed. 

Living in Tallinn felt like coming home to a city I never knew I was missing. It was very comforting in design and spirit. The people were kind, the roads were clean, the atmosphere was safe and the food was unforgettable. I can still smell the warm, sugary scent of cinnamon and cardamom buns wafting from Pulla Bakery in the Old Town. 

This experience was the perfect length to soak in cultural contracts, explore the city’s treasure – from centuries-old churches to the Fotografiska museum, as well as the ruins of the Pirita Convent by the sea and so much more. 

A very magical moment was attending Estonia’s renowned song and dance festival. I made sure to sit high in the bleachers of the crowd at the dance performance, where I could see the dancers form enchanting patterns across the field. Over 11,000 dancers moved in waves, their traditional regalia swaying in a kaleidoscope of colours, motion and sounds. The music felt like something out of a fairytale – ancient, majestic and alive. Their joy was contagious, as I watched their true smiles bleed across their faces as they ran up the stairs where the crowd sat to let the next group perform. The song festival was equally mesmerizing – a choir of thousands, voices harmonized together like a single entity.

I also had the chance to shadow a workday at Visit Estonia, sitting in the annual presentation day where partnering nations of Estonia spoke about tourism relations and marketing. Another day, I contributed to a pilot survey for the Minister of Finance within Visit Estonia for their newly integrated AI system. 

All of this was made possible through the ESTDEV intern abroad program, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I’m endlessly grateful for the opportunity – not just to gain work experience, but to build memories that last forever.