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Tallinn, Estonia

AI & Real-World Application

STEM

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$6,000

Highlights

Career exploration

Daily activities and excursions

Homestay

Inside look at industry

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$6,000

Highlights

Career exploration

Daily activities and excursions

Homestay

Inside look at industry

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Overview
Experiment with AI and human-centered design in Tallinn, one of Europe’s leading startup cities.  

Artificial intelligence is a powerful engine for innovation, and it works best when paired with human intuition and problem-solving. Tallinn is one of the world’s most digitally advanced cities, making it the perfect place to explore how AI is transforming everyday life. Alongside fellow Global Navigators, you’ll partner with a local organization on a hands-on project, researching a real challenge and developing an AI-powered prototype to find a solution.  

Dive into the world of artificial intelligence and discover its potential when used in real-life situations. Through interactive workshops, hands-on experimentation, and guided exploration, you’ll not only learn how AI functions, but also how it affects individuals, systems, and decision-making. You’ll collaborate with a local organization to craft an innovative, AI-driven prototype of a solution for issues like access to urban green spaces or product enhancement for a local startup. By working closely with community members and professionals, you’ll gain valuable insights into their needs and see firsthand how AI can enhance everyday life.  

Step away from your project to experience Estonia’s rich cultural traditions. Learn to prepare traditional Estonian dishes like hearty rye bread, savory meat pies, and sweet kringle cinnamon bread in a hands-on cooking class. Then visit the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds to discover how music and the peaceful Singing Revolution helped Estonia regain its independence. Between the friendships you’ll build, the culture you’ll experience, and the skills you’ll develop, your summer in Tallinn will inspire new ideas and prepare you for a future in technology and beyond.

A Summer for Fun, Friends, and Your Future

Explore

Have fun discovering Tallinn's medieval streets and innovative digital ecosystem.

Network

Meet new friends and AI experts. Build your own community.

Get Inspired

Launch your future today! Develop the foundational knowledge, technical skills, and ethical mindset needed to succeed in technology and innovation.

Destination
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The Destination

Welcome to Estonia, home to more than 2,000 islands, 1,500 startups, and a thriving digital culture. 

Tiny but mighty, Estonia has become one of Europe’s biggest success stories. Home to just 1.3 million people, this Baltic nation consistently ranks among the world’s most digitally connected countries, where nearly every government service—from voting and taxes to medical records and business registration—is available online. It’s a remarkable example of how a small country can use innovation to make a global impact. 

Once an important trading crossroads on the Baltic Sea, Estonia’s landscape is dotted with medieval castles, stone churches, and historic manor houses. On islands like Kihnu, local families still preserve centuries-old traditions, with women wearing colorful striped wool skirts and passing down folk songs, dances, and handicrafts that have earned UNESCO recognition. 

Summer is the perfect time to experience Estonia’s spectacular outdoors. Nearly half the country is covered in forest, with more than 1,000 lakes, peaceful bogs crossed by wooden boardwalks, and a rugged Baltic coastline alive with seabirds. During the famous white nights, the sky glows long after midnight, giving you even more time to discover one of Europe’s most enchanting countries. 

Cultural Awareness

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. No matter where you choose to study abroad with CIEE, our staff will be on hand throughout your program to provide advice, resources, and support.

 

Social feed above may feature posts from all CIEE Study Abroad programs, including college programs.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Activities

Top Rated Activities

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Tallinn Old Town & Digital Society Walk

Travel through 800 years of history as you wander Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval city centers. Walk beneath towering stone gates, along winding cobblestone streets, and past colorful merchant houses built when Tallinn was a thriving trading port connecting Northern Europe. As you step into the past, reflect on the present: How did this centuries-old capital transform into one of the world’s most digitally connected societies? 

Discuss the remarkable journey that took Estonia from Soviet occupation to becoming a global leader in digital innovation. Learn how a country of just 1.3 million people built a thriving startup ecosystem, launched companies like Skype and Bolt, and became a model for digital government and entrepreneurship. Standing where medieval merchants once exchanged ideas and goods, you’ll see how curiosity, creativity, and bold thinking continue to shape Estonia’s future.

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Discover Telliskivi Creative City

Discover how great ideas can transform an entire neighborhood at Telliskivi Creative City. Once a fenced-off Soviet-era railway factory where locomotives and industrial machinery were repaired, this abandoned complex has been transformed into Estonia’s largest creative campus. Today, more than 1,500 people work across 250 companies, from startup founders and designers to filmmakers, artists, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs, all sharing the same creative community and collaborative spirit. 

Explore colorful street art, independent bookstores, design studios, vintage shops, galleries, and cozy cafés tucked inside restored industrial buildings. Depending on the day, you might stumble across a flea market, live music, an outdoor art installation, or one of the more than 800 cultural events hosted here each year. Telliskivi shows that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about reimagining old spaces, bringing people together, and creating communities where bold ideas can thrive.

Testimonials
Midsummer Bonfire
From CIEE

Midsummer in Estonia: Cultural Preservation and Connection

By High School Travelers at CIEE

Students celebrate Midsummer's Day, or Jaanipäev, Estonia’s longest-celebrated public holiday and one of the most cherished events on the Estonian folk calendar.

High school summer program leaders looking off into the horizon
From CIEE

Meet the Educators Leading CIEE's 2026 High School Summer Abroad Programs

By High School Summer Abroad at CIEE

Founded in 2015, the CIEE Global Navigator Movement is transforming secondary education by making academically-aligned study abroad an integral part of the U.S. high school experience. CIEE high school summer... keep reading

high school summer abroad intro to longer study abroad programs
From CIEE

Should My Teen Study Abroad? What High School Students Gain From Educational Travel

By High School Summer Abroad at CIEE

If you’ve traveled internationally, you know the thrill of stepping into a completely different way of living—new foods, new customs, new daily rhythms, and people who see the world through... keep reading

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above. 
  • Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. 
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our scholarship page
  • Please note: Due to the local cuisine and available food options, this program cannot accommodate a fully Kosher, Halal, or Vegan diet. 

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Application Fee 

$25 

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition. 

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Program Summer Session I 2027 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,000
Program Summer Session II 2027 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,000

Ready to change your life?

What's Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Staff

Our Staff

Evelyn Müürsepp

Center Director

Evelyn had 15 years of experience in the Estonian Government before joining CIEE, where she supported the launch of the CIEE Tallinn center.

Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're on step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect with your Teachers or Parents

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about enrolling.

Request Info