In the second episode of the series, Tiina and co-host Kaisa sat down with Sandra Valle, a Mexican expat who has called Estonia home for over fourteen years.
The conversation begins with a striking observation about the Estonian mutation as she describes it. Valle describes the locals as typically reserved, quiet, and strategic, particularly during the darker months. However, she notes a radical transformation when summer arrives. In the warmth of the sun and the sanctuary of the sauna, she describes a new form of Estonians who emerge smiling, laughing, and are open. Valle believes that the harsh winter forces a mindset of intense future planning and energy conservation. In Mexico, where the weather is consistently hospitable, life is customarily lived in the present. In Estonia, survival is tied to foresight, from packing potentially four different jackets for a simple day trip to ensuring the house is fortified against the cold. It’s an insightful observation.
Valle’s journey to Estonia was driven by love. She met her husband, Priit, in Mexico in 2003. Ironically, she saw snow for the first time in Mexico when Priit accurately predicted a rare snowfall on Christmas Day. The couple eventually moved to Estonia, partially lured by the country’s generous maternity leave, a stark contrast to what one can expect in North America.
To integrate, Valle intentionally avoided Spanish-speaking circles for three years. She immersed herself in TV shows, a number of which were dubbed versions of the Mexican telenovelas (soap operas) she grew up with.
One of the most humorous segments of the episode explores the so-called blasphemy of speaking to strangers. Sandra, naturally extroverted and smiley, initially struggled with the Estonian social code that dictates silence at bus stops. She eventually realized that in -20°C weather, talking becomes a drain on physical warmth. She also discusses the complexities of raising children in a dual-culture household. While her children speak Estonian at school and with friends, she maintains a strict rule that cartoons at home must be watched in Spanish. Her goal is to ensure they remain connected to their roots, even as they navigate a society that values independence much earlier than the close-knit communities of Mexico.
Her own approach to learning the Estonian language was equally disciplined. To integrate, Valle intentionally avoided Spanish-speaking circles for three years. She immersed herself in TV shows, a number of which were dubbed versions of the Mexican telenovelas (soap operas) she grew up with. Today, she views Estonian as a secret language of sorts that allows her family to communicate privately when visiting the cities of Monterrey or Mexico City.
This episode provides a heartfelt look at what it means to adapt without losing one’s original self. You can listen to the Found in Estonia podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
