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 Elise Buggy—an exchange student from Scotland who recently resided at Tartu College during her studies.
(interview with Vincent Teetsov)
To begin with, what’s a personal motto or mantra that you live by, and how does it guide you?
“Life is for living” is my life motto. All too frequently, people suppress their personalities, reject exciting experiences, or hesitate to take risks out of fear of other people’s opinions. However, wherever you go, someone will always judge so we might as well have fun. People also frequently pass up chances to improve themselves because they are afraid of change, but because we don’t know how long we have left on this planet, we might as well enjoy ourselves, have some fun, and make the most of it.
Every battle life throws at her, she finds a way to overcome it… She also always encourages me and my sister to follow our dreams. Without her I wouldn’t be where I am today. I couldn’t be prouder of her!
(Elise Buggy)
Who was the most influential person in your life growing up, and what is the most important lesson they taught you?
I would say my mum is the most influential person in my life. She didn’t have it easy growing up having lost a parent at a young age, having to move country to start over, and then having to leave her family home pretty young. She never gave up and has always forced herself to get back up and try again. Every battle life throws at her, she finds a way to overcome it. Whilst the world set her up for failure, my mum was determined to be a success. My mum is now a head of corporate services and continues every day to exceed all expectations. She also always encourages me and my sister to follow our dreams. Without her I wouldn’t be where I am today. I couldn’t be prouder of her!
What brought you to Tartu College?
I was an exchange student from Scotland. Moving to a country I had never been to before, I was looking for somewhere that would be sociable, where I could meet new people and that was also affordable, on top of other fees I had to pay.
What has been the most rewarding project or initiative you’ve worked on in your university years, and what made it special?
I volunteer with an organisation called Police Scotland Youth Volunteers which is a group of young people who work alongside the police to carry out community initiatives and give aid. A project we did as part of this was a veterans café where we provided lunch, games, and a safe place for veterans to come wind down. Hearing some of their incredible stories was very eye opening. But also, being able to provide a comfort zone for those who were often elderly and without family gave us a sense of warmth, knowing we were there to help these incredible humans out.
I spent a lot of time talking to the cleaning staff, especially Elsa, who would always greet you with a smile and ask how your day is.
(Elise Buggy)
Can you share a story that you feel truly captures the spirit and essence of the Tartu College community?
The parties that Tartu would put on encouraged everyone to come together as a community. In particular, during one in January I was playing Cards Against Humanity with a bunch of people I had never met before. This brought us all closer together and gave us a chance to relax a bit and make new friends.
The staff is also lovely. I spent a lot of time talking to the cleaning staff, especially Elsa, who would always greet you with a smile and ask how your day is.
Choose one photo that is important to you and tell us the story behind the photo.
I have chosen a photo of my tattoo. The arrow going down the middle of it is to represent life’s hardships. If you think of a bow and arrow, in order for the arrow to go forward, it must be pulled back. So when you feel life is holding you back, it’s really about to lunge you forward. Next, we have a compass and the world, which signifies following your dreams. Finally, I have my parents’ dates of birth, as they are my biggest supporters and always encourage me to chase my dreams.
As Tartu College celebrates 55 years, what are your hopes for its next chapter and the legacy it will continue to build?
I hope they will continue to put on social events as this really brings everyone together. Also, it would be good to add a place where you can go socialise, like a games room or a community section with sofas, where people from different suites can hang out together.
