Tartu College is a very important place for the Estonian community of Canada. It’s the home of Eesti Elu / Estonian Life newspaper, VEMU Estonian Museum Canada, numerous academic organizations, and is also a place where many university students in Toronto reside. As Tartu College celebrates its 55th anniversary this year, we wanted to introduce readers to the people who make this place thrive.
This time, we’re speaking with a recent recipient of the Tartu College Student Residence Scholarship—Monika Siim. Monika is an Engineering Science student at U of T and part-time VEMU archivist who has brought a great deal of enthusiasm and care to Tartu College, including through her contributions to Eesti Elu in print and on TikTok.
Hei Monika! To begin with, please tell us who you are using just five words. And then tell us why you chose those words.
“We will figure it out.”
I’m a naturally optimistic person. I genuinely believe most things can be worked through if you’re willing to keep trying. Some of my friends are the total opposite, and that contrast is a good balance. Especially because I tend to keep my inner circle pretty small. In friends, I value honesty and consider myself an honest person—sometimes even too honest. In Estonia, if something’s shit, we say it’s shit. And if it’s great, we say it’s “not the worst.”
Another layer of honesty is criticism, which is one of the most useful things a person could offer. Before my driving exam, I got a new instructor, who after our first lesson told me, with full confidence and no hesitation, that although it’s rare, he believes that I am one of the few people who should never drive. Along with many other things that he said and the fact he was screaming at this point, I don’t think he expected me to come back. But I did.
The plan was to change his voice, make him totally anonymous, and use the footage along with other material we would have gathered in an episode exploring the myth of Estonia’s “crazy driving instructors.” Well this idea never came to life because it turns out the man had a very sweet side.
This is actually a longer story; the lesson was so absurd that, since my friend Johannes and I were filming a youth series for Estonian National Television’s Jupiter platform, we thought, why not record our next lessons. The plan was to change his voice, make him totally anonymous, and use the footage along with other material we would have gathered in an episode exploring the myth of Estonia’s “crazy driving instructors.” Well this idea never came to life because it turns out the man had a very sweet side. Soon after, I did get my license and now only have good memories of the instructor.
I think overall, I don’t take life too seriously. I do care a lot. I try hard, obsessively sometimes, but I’ve also accepted that life comes in waves—good ones, bad ones, weird ones. I think I’m naturally a bit restless. I need to be in environments that challenge me. When life gets too easy, that’s a problem of its own.
Where did you grow up and what are the most impactful moments of your early years?
I was born and raised on the islands of Saaremaa and Muhu. My mum moved us to Tallinn not long after, but I think it was still the summers with my great-grandmother and the many children in the neighborhood that had the biggest impact on me. I really had a Bullerby-like childhood; exploring nature, running with cows, horse riding, and swimming for hours, since we lived right by the sea.
My great-grandmother, Alice Rosine Toomla, had spent her working life as a teacher, and it was very important to her to pass learning on to her grandchildren. I didn’t exactly love studying as a child; I used to try running away from her lessons, and probably didn’t appreciate it much at the time. But now, I couldn’t be more grateful.
We spent hours by the bonfire, singing while my great-grandmother played the accordion. We also spent a lot of time gardening and doing housework; though I definitely did less than the others.
It was a lot of fun and, if I could, I would definitely go back to those days. It happens so quickly, the way things pass by that you can never get back. At least not in the same way.
What brought you to Tartu College?
It was my great friend and mentor Heidy Eskor-Kiviloo. There are only a few people in the whole world like her—warm, kind, but also extremely smart. She has helped me a lot on my journey. It was she who connected me with Linda and Piret, and now I am here—studying, working, and truly grateful to everybody who has helped me on this journey.
What are you studying at the moment?
I’m currently preparing to begin the Engineering Science program at the University of Toronto. My background has always been a mix of science and creativity—I’ve studied STEM subjects for years but have also loved the arts. In my final year of high school, I led a youth-focused NGO that was supported by various embassies. We worked on media projects, held workshops for over 300 students, and collaborated with people in the creative industries. The project was even nominated in Tallinn’s 2023 Suured teod (“Great Deeds”) awards, which was a moment of pride.
That experience made me realize how much I enjoy organizing and building things that have a clear purpose. It led me to apply to film production programs around the world, and I was fortunate to be accepted to all of them. I chose to study in Canada, but after arriving, I realized the program wasn’t quite the right fit for my goals. I gave it a fair try, but ultimately, I wanted something that would challenge me in a different way. In school, I spent most of my free time taking physics and engineering courses and competing in science competitions. I didn’t expect it, but I found myself really missing math and physics. Fortunately, after my first semester, I was able to switch some of my courses to focus mainly on those subjects and now make the change to engineering science at University of Toronto.
What is the most interesting/fun thing about Tartu College for you?
As an Estonian, I never would have guessed I’d find such a big Estonian family here in Canada. My new friends at VEMU, Tartu College, and my sisters in Korp! Filiae Patriae have all been incredibly warm and made me feel truly welcome.
Another important part has been having the sweetest roommates and meeting people who will stay in my life. Someone really special I met this year was Ella Aeby—a medical science student from Switzerland who spent her exchange year at the University of Toronto.
Choose one photo that is important to you and tell us the story behind the photo.
This here is my childhood home on the island of Muhu.
Tartu College is turning fifty-five years old this year. Thinking ahead to the future, where do you see yourself when you're fifty-five years old?
Most people my age think fifty-five is old, but I think it might be one of the best ages, apart from nineteen (my age now). I have no idea where I’ll be living; maybe on a floating island or somewhere in the Arctic, building weird projects that no one understands.
I might have fifteen kids or I might be halfway through obtaining my pilot license while training for something completely unrelated, like volcano diving. And if I’m lucky, I’ll be mentoring young people like I am now, helping them take risks that mean something.
And finally, to pay it forward, is there anyone you think we should speak to next from within the Tartu College community? Please tell us why you chose them.
I’m nominating Chloe Lin—my favourite baker from Tartu College. Having her in our apartment, we’re always sure to have the best muffins, the freshest cakes, and the yummiest desserts. She also has her own blog and is a naturally gifted writer. Chloe, the floor is yours.
