A journey home: Jaan Erik Branno on why being Estonian is an honour

For many young people with international backgrounds, deciding where to study and begin their careers is not always straightforward. For some, however, the answer lies in rediscovering their roots. Estonia’s dynamic start-up ecosystem, strong national identity, and close international networks have become important reasons why many Estonians with global backgrounds and experience choose to return home.

One such story is that of TalTech student Jaan Erik, who spent much of his childhood abroad before deciding to reconnect more closely with Estonia. Growing up between different countries and cultures gave him a global perspective, strong communication skills, and an early interest in entrepreneurship and technology.

Eventually, this journey brought him back to Estonia, where he began his studies at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) to pursue opportunities and challenges in business, innovation, and international cooperation.

Growing up between countries and cultures

Jaan Erik was born in Estonia but moved abroad with his family at an early age. When he was six years old, the family relocated to the United Kingdom, where he began school.

“I learned English within two to three months,” he recalls. “It gave me a strong foundation for international life and for understanding different cultures.”

A year later, the family briefly returned to Estonia before moving on to Sweden. There he spent nearly ten years, attending international schools and building friendships and connections with people from around the world.

“While living in Sweden, I had the opportunity to build a global network of people who are now spread across the world,” he says.

Jaan Erik completed his secondary education in Sweden, first at the International School of the Gothenburg Region (ISGR) and later in the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme at Hvitfeldska Gymnasiet in Gothenburg.

In the IB programme, he chose four subjects at higher level: economics, mathematics, physics, and psychology – fields that combine analytical thinking with an understanding of society and human behaviour. These choices clearly played an important role in shaping his later academic and professional path.

Early interest in technology and entrepreneurship

The international environment also sparked Jaan Erik’s interest in entrepreneurship. Towards the end of high school, he launched his first small business project – a platform that connected students who wanted to earn pocket money with parents who needed help with various household tasks.

Experiences like this helped him develop strong communication and networking skills that have continued to prove valuable in his career.

Alongside entrepreneurship, he also developed a growing interest in technology and practical solutions. One of his early work experiences involved building low-noise amplifiers used in supercomputers.

This experience deepened his interest in technical challenges and innovative solutions.

“I am interested in technical problems and solutions that help make the world better,” he says. “I care about things that improve the environment we live in.”

Studying governance and innovation at TalTech

After returning to Estonia in 2020, Jaan Erik completed his military service at the Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion, where he finished reserve officer training and received recognition for exemplary service.

Afterwards, he began his studies at Tallinn University of Technology, specialising in Public Administration and Political Science at the Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance.

The programme allowed him to explore how governance, innovation, and entrepreneurship function together – areas closely linked to Estonia’s international reputation as a digital state and an entrepreneurial society.

A strong connection to Estonia

Despite growing up internationally, Jaan Erik has always felt a strong connection to Estonia. Family ties and a sense of national belonging played an important role in his decision to return.

After all, not everyone can say they belong to a nation of only about 1.3 million people worldwide.

“I have always had a strong connection to Estonia, my family, and my national identity,” he says. “Estonia’s strong innovation and business ecosystem and its start-up culture motivated me to come back and follow my dreams.”

For him, the decision was also deeply emotional.

“There is something very special about Estonia that is difficult to put into words,” he says. “That feeling has always reassured me that returning was the right decision.”

Opportunities in a small country

One of the things that surprised Jaan Erik most about Estonia is the number of opportunities available in such a small country.

“It’s surprising how many opportunities there can be in a country this small,” he says. “The ‘small country effect’ is quite magical.”

In his view, Estonia’s size makes networks exceptionally accessible.

“How many phone calls or messages would it take to reach almost anyone in Estonia – maybe even the president – through someone who knows someone?” he asks. “I would say fewer than five people.”

This closeness helps ideas and initiatives move forward quickly.

Advice to Estonians around the world

For people with Estonian roots living abroad, Jaan Erik encourages rediscovering that connection.

“I would recommend anyone who has some connection to Estonia to explore it further and think about what steps they could take to reconnect with their roots,” he says.

For him, returning to Estonia has strengthened both his sense of identity and his professional ambitions.

“Being Estonian is an honour,” he adds.

Looking ahead

Today, Jaan Erik is building an international career while remaining closely connected to Estonia. Recently, he started working at the Swedish Embassy in Tallinn with Business and Trade Promotion, supporting cooperation between Swedish companies and Estonia as well as the Baltic region.

At the same time, he continues to develop his own entrepreneurial projects and business ideas.

“Every day is a new opportunity to do the right thing,” he says.

Returning home and building the future

Jaan Erik’s story shows that returning to Estonia can be both personally meaningful and professionally inspiring. Estonia’s entrepreneurial spirit, strong networks, and openness to innovation create an environment where young people with international experience can bring their ideas to life and build something new.

Sometimes returning home is not only about reconnecting with the past – it can also be an opportunity to create something entirely new for the future.

More information about TalTech study programmes, admissions, and deadlines:
 https://taltech.ee/en/admissions

A journey home: studying and building a future in Estonia

For many young people with international backgrounds, choosing where to study and build a career can be a complex decision. For some, however, the answer lies in rediscovering their roots. Estonia’s dynamic start-up ecosystem, strong sense of national identity, and tight-knit community have become powerful reasons for many globally minded Estonians to return home.

One such story is that of a TalTech student, Jaan Erik, who spent much of his childhood abroad before deciding to reconnect with Estonia. Growing up between countries and cultures gave him a global perspective, strong communication skills, and an early interest in entrepreneurship and technology. Eventually, that journey led him back to Estonia, where he began his studies at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) and pursued opportunities in business, innovation, and international cooperation. 

In this interview, Jaan Erik reflects on growing up internationally, what motivated him to return to Estonia, and how the country’s unique environment continues to shape his ambitions.

Where did you grow up, and what was your life like before coming to Estonia?

I was born in Estonia, and until the age of 6 I lived here until in 2008 me and my family moved to the United Kingdom where I attended 1st grade and began my schooling. I learned English within 2-3 months and got a good basis for international life and different cultures. After one year in the UK, we moved back to Estonia where we lived for two years after which we took the journey to Sweden, and I lived there in total a little under 10 years. During my time in Sweden, I went to international school and had the privilege of developing a global network of people who are now all spread out around the globe. I developed an interest for business and start-ups during my time in Sweden, even piloting my first business at the end of 10th grade as my personal project which was aimed at connecting students who wanted to work and earn money with parents at my school who had housework and chores that needed to be done. I developed a good foundation for effective communication and a strong networking skillset which has been a very valuable part of my career thereafter. One of my first job experiences was building low noise amplifiers which are used in supercomputers and have since gained in addition to business an interest in technical challenges and solutions that make our world a better place. I care about things that improve our world.

Did you study anything before coming to TalTech, and if so, what?

I completed my primary and secondary studies in international schools in International School of Gothenburg Region (ISGR) and Hvitfeldska Gymnasiet International Bachelorette Program (IB) in Göteborg, Sweden. In the IB, I chose four subjects that were of higher importance and interest to me, which I studied at higher level (higher level = more hours per week than standard level) and these were: economics, mathematics, physics, and psychology. When I moved to Estonia in 2020, I completed my military service at the Kuperjanov Infantry Battalion where I completed reserve officer training and received an award for exemplary service. After this I started my studies at TalTech.

What are you studying at TalTech?

I studied Public Administration and Political Science at Ragnar Nurkse Governance and Innovation Institute.

What motivated you to come to Estonia / TalTech?

I have always had a strong connection to Estonia, my family and a strong national sense of belonging. The strong innovation and business ecosystem in Estonia along with a strong start-up culture motivated me to come back and follow my dreams. I am and always will be an Estonian.

Was there someone or something that inspired you to take this step?

My family who lives and has lived all this time in Estonia. There is something so special about Estonia that cannot easily be put into words, and this feeling has always motivated me and assured me that I have made the right choice of moving back.

What were your expectations before coming to Estonia? Have they been met?

I expected to be more connected to my family living here, revisit connections with my friends from long ago and to also meet new and interesting people. I wanted to get a connection to my roots and heritage, which I did.

What has surprised you the most so far?

That for such a small country there can be so much opportunity. The “small country” effect is a real magical thing. How many phone calls/messages would you have to make to reach any person in Estonia, like the president, through someone you know who knows someone else and so on… I bet the answer is less than five people to reach any person in the country.

Would you recommend taking a similar step to others, and why?

I would recommend for anyone who has any connection to Estonia to explore more and find out what steps can be taken to reconnect with their Estonian roots. I can guarantee that good things are to follow for those that do, just take the first step and have courage to discover our great national identity. Being an Estonian is an honour.

What are your future plans?

I have recently taken a new career direction and started as a Business and Trade Promotion Specialist in the Swedish Embassy in Tallinn, working with bringing Swedish business to Estonia and the Baltics. Additionally, I have a keen interest in working with business and start-ups. I have started my own businesses and companies that I will keep developing and making successful. Every day is a new opportunity to do the right thing!

Looking ahead

Returning to Estonia has allowed Jaan Erik to reconnect with his roots while building a future in a place that values initiative, innovation, and strong community ties. Estonia’s close networks and entrepreneurial mindset create an environment where ideas can move forward quickly and where motivated people can find meaningful opportunities.

Jaan Erik's journey shows that coming back to Estonia can be both personally fulfilling and professionally rewarding. Sometimes, returning home offers not only a sense of belonging, but also the chance to grow, contribute, and create new opportunities along the way.

Read more on study programmes, admission details and deadlines at TalTech here: https://taltech.ee/en/admissions