What made you decide to come to Canada and Toronto specifically?
It had always been my dream to study and/or live abroad for a while, and university gave me the perfect opportunity to realize that dream. However, moving to and studying in a foreign country is expensive, so being born here in Canada gave me a huge advantage, as did receiving a scholarship from the Estonian Government. Another factor that made me choose Toronto was definitely the reputation of the universities here and the vast range of opportunities they offer. Toronto also felt like a place where I could experience many different cultures while still having access to an Estonian community, which made moving here feel a little less daunting.
So far I am happy with my choice and am really enjoying my studies here. Since then, I have also stayed in Toronto over the summers to take additional courses, which has allowed me to make the most of my time here and continue progressing in my degree.
Did you have any expectations before arriving?
I definitely expected a very stereotypical North American university experience, especially during my first year since I was living in residence—and that is certainly what I got! I also found confirmation of the stereotype that Canadians are nice and friendly. The Canadians I have met so far have been genuinely kind and apologetic.
Of Toronto itself, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of different events taking place around the city, which, compared to Tallinn, was something completely new to me, and by just how multicultural the city is. Walking through different neighbourhoods really feels like experiencing many different parts of the world in one city.
“It still surprises me that after walking for an hour from downtown Toronto, you can still find yourself in downtown Toronto!… back in Estonia, spending an afternoon in nature was often just a short bike ride away.”
(Emma Nahkor)
What has your experience in Toronto been like so far?
I have definitely enjoyed most of my university classes and the opportunities they have provided. For example, I have had the chance to gain hands-on laboratory experience from the second week of my first year, which, from what I have heard, would not have been possible in Estonia.
Although I have been living here for a while now, I am still not accustomed to the sheer size of both the city and the country. It still surprises me that after walking for an hour from downtown Toronto, you can still find yourself in downtown Toronto! This has also been one of the challenges of living here, as back in Estonia, spending an afternoon in nature was often just a short bike ride away. Here, getting to hiking trails or larger parks usually takes much more planning, and that’s something I still miss.
What has your experience been like staying at Tartu College? Has it helped you feel connected to Estonia while being away from home?
Overall, I think Tartu College is a great option for students, especially because of its proximity to campus, diverse residents, and student-friendly pricing. Personally, Tartu College has given me a wonderful opportunity to meet exchange students from Europe and other parts of the world, rather than make me feel more connected to Estonia specifically.
That said, my friends and family back home, my Estonian friends here, as well as Estonian literature and social media have certainly helped me maintain that connection to my homeland. It is also interesting to see how many traditions and connections have been maintained here across generations of Estonians in Canada. Overall, I have truly enjoyed living at Tartu College.
What has been your impression of the Toronto Estonian community?
It seems very tight-knit and supportive. It has been refreshing to see how many people here have maintained their language and traditions despite living so far from Estonia. Although I have only met a handful of Estonians during my time here, everyone has been incredibly kind and welcoming, which I really appreciate. I have not yet had the chance to contribute much to the community myself, but I would love to change that in the future.
“Living abroad has also made me appreciate many of the small things I took for granted in Estonia… it has been inspiring to see how much effort people put into preserving the Estonian culture so far away.”
(Emma Nahkor)
How has being here changed how you think about Estonia or Estonian identity?
Being here has certainly shown me how important it is for people to feel that they belong somewhere, and how fortunate I am to be from a small, tight-knit country like Estonia. It has strengthened my sense of patriotism, which I had expected it would. Living abroad has also made me appreciate many of the small things I took for granted in Estonia; for example, being surrounded by forests and hearing Estonian spoken everywhere. Overall, it has been inspiring to see how much effort people put into preserving the Estonian culture so far away.
What do you hope to take away from your time in Canada?
I hope to take with me all the experiences I have had here and the chance to experience life in such a large city, especially since I would love to try living in other cities around the world after I graduate. I also hope to leave with a broader perspective and friendships from all over the world. Living in Toronto has challenged me in many ways, but it has also given me a great deal of confidence and independence, and those are things I will always remember.
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Quotes have been edited for clarity and length.
This article was written by Natalie Jenkins as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.
