MY INTERNSHIP JOURNEY AND STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE IN TALLINN

When I first began preparing for my semester abroad in Tallinn, Estonia, The Gem of the Baltic, I expected a valuable academic experience, a few cultural surprises, and hopefully an internship that aligned with my interest in national security. What I found has surpassed anything I imagined. I entered a mentorship and professional environment unlike anything available to most students anywhere in Europe.

Today, I can confidently say that studying abroad in Estonia has been the most transformative academic, professional, and personal experience of my college career.

Diving Into My Internship Experience: A Reality Far Beyond Expectations

Before arriving, I assumed I would intern at a research institute or think tank alongside other students, working on country profiles, reading policy reports, and attending weekly supervised meetings. Being a veteran and slightly older than the traditional students, I considered it wouldn’t be challenging or as eye-opening. Instead, I was offered something much more rare: a one-on-one mentorship and internship with Estonia’s former Director of Foreign Intelligence, former Chancellor of the Ministry, and former Director of the Office of the President.

Each week, we met for one to two hours for in-depth discussions on intelligence, geopolitics, statecraft, and ongoing international crises. We analyzed political frameworks of states in conflict, assessed real-world election scenarios, and explored how intelligence is used to shape strategic decision-making.

This was not a typical student internship. It was intensive, analytical, and grounded in real-world logic used at the highest levels of government.

Skills and Knowledge Gained

One of the greatest benefits has been developing professional level open-source intelligence skills, using the exact methodologies practiced by career intelligence officers.

Through this work, I also expanded my Russian language proficiency, analyzing Russian media, government channels, and regional reporting. This experience strengthened both my linguistic and analytical abilities, something I could not have gained inside a traditional classroom.

Alignment With My Career Goals

For any student committed to a future in national security, intelligence analysis, or policymaking, this internship is unmatched. I have not met a single study abroad student in Europe whose internship resembles the depth, mentorship, or level of responsibility I have been able to experience.

This opportunity strengthened my career aspirations and gave me the confidence, training, and professional habits to pursue them at a high level.

Most Rewarding Moment
The most meaningful part has been receiving direct and honest critiques of my work from someone who has spent decades operating at the top of the intelligence community. Each discussion pushed me to refine my writing, challenge assumptions, and produce work that meets a professional standard.

Engaging With Estonia’s Professional Landscape

When I arrived in Estonia, I already had confidence speaking Russian thanks to completing Middlebury’s summer language program. This internship elevated my cross-cultural competencies and opened doors to high-level conversations and networking across Europe.

As a U.S. State Department scholarship recipient, I was invited to separate EU and NATO seminars in Brussels. Participants there were excited to speak with a student studying in Estonia, and thanks to the preparation from my mentorship, I stood out and built connections that have already led to conversations about traineeships and potential opportunities within EU institutions and various sectors of defense.

Studying Abroad in Estonia: A New Academic and Cultural Perspective
Arriving in Estonia: Expectations vs. Reality

Before arriving, I imagined long commutes and uncertain amenities. Instead, my one-bedroom apartment (select housing option) was extremely comfortable and exceeded all expectations. It included:
- weekly cleaning
- a fully equipped kitchen
- reliable heating
- 24 hour building amenities
- Free gym membership to multiple locations (which include saunas and pool)
- 30 second walk to the university
- a grocery store next door
- bus and tram stops at the front door
- a twelve minute walk to Tallinn’s Old Town

Tallinn’s Old Town, filled with cathedrals, cafés, restaurants, bars, and student meet-ups, became a regular weekend spot. Combined with Tallinn University’s intensive Russian language programs, which felt similar to Middlebury or STARTALK, the environment was ideal for cultural and academic growth.

What Surprised Me Most About Estonian Culture
I had been told that Estonians tend to be quiet and reserved. In reality, they have been incredibly warm and welcoming. My experience has been filled with kindness, humor, and genuine friendliness from the locals. My favorite trip by far was Narva, where I was able to meet and speak Russian freely everywhere I turned. Being able to see Russia itself was a moment I will always remember.

Learning Outside the Classroom

One of the most valuable lessons has been recognizing how different each European culture is. Affordable flights to cities like Riga and Helsinki, sometimes as low as ten euros, allowed me to explore more of the region and deepen my understanding beyond Estonia. CIEE also included day trips to Helsinki, Narva, Tartu, and more!

Connecting With Locals and International Students

My classes include students from across Europe and Eurasia through the Erasmus exchange system. I have built friendships and networks with students from Germany, Finland, France, Czechia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and more. These classmates are not only peers. They are the future leaders, thinkers, and policymakers of their countries.

Advice for Balancing an Internship While Studying Abroad

Once you create a workflow, establish templates, and develop a routine for translations and research, the workload becomes manageable. Staying organized is essential, but the growth you gain is worth the effort.

How This Experience Changed My Academic Path

This semester strengthened my confidence in Russian and expanded my vocabulary into subjects rarely covered in language courses, including national security, defense, and political analysis. These skills have now become part of my everyday academic and professional toolkit.

Interested in Studying Abroad Yourself
If you are considering any CIEE program, not only the program in Estonia, you can use my referral link below to receive $200 OFF any CIEE study abroad or internship program!
https://my.ciee.org/?rc=3c946033-263c-ef11-9e45-0050561072ea-5-web 

You can apply it to programs in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, or Oceania. Take the jump and never doubt yourself.