If you have recently moved to Estonia, life here may seem like a complex puzzle at first. Why aren’t people smiling or striking up conversations on the street? How can you find friends in an environment that seems very closed off at first glance? How on Earth can one become fluent in Estonian? You can find answers to these questions in an unexpected place – the Estonian Open Air Museum – when you start exploring Estonian history and local customs.
The Estonian Open Air Museum in Tallinn is not just a collection of old buildings, but rather a kind of window into the minds of the Estonian people. In addition to being open to both local Estonians and tourists visiting the country, the museum also offers activities for those who have recently moved here. The aim of such programmes is to introduce the culture and history of our small nation and offer a different approach to learning its language.
According to Einike Sooväli, project manager of the museum’s integration and social programmes, the Estonian Open Air Museum is the ideal place for new residents to start, as it allows them to understand Estonian society as a whole – through their eyes, ears, and personal experience.
Why don’t Estonians smile?
Einike Sooväli explains that the things that can be seen and experienced in the museum help to unravel the background to the Estonian character. ‘As our exhibition is very large and includes nearly a hundred houses from different eras, we can recount Estonian history from its beginnings to the present day. And not just talk about it, but also show it,’ she says.
‘This gives newly arrived immigrants a very strong start, because they begin to understand why Estonians are the way they are: why we don’t smile much, why we are cautious towards strangers at first, and why our relationship with religion is not a very close one. For example, we talk about how Estonians believe above all in work and personal responsibility, and how our experience of living under foreign rule for so long has taught us to be cautious and rather suspicious of anything new.’
Once you understand that Estonian reticence is not rudeness, but a historical legacy, it becomes easier to communicate and make new contacts.
Culture club: Estonian-speaking friends from all over the world
One of the main language and culture programmes for newly arrived immigrants at the Estonian Open Air Museum is the culture club, which is aimed at people whose Estonian language skills are at least at level B2.
The culture club is a group that meets for three hours once a week. They discuss a new topic each time – from Estonian history and customs to everyday life. The group is put together in cooperation with the Integration Foundation and includes people of different nationalities.
‘The more different nationalities there are in the group, the more exciting it is for us and for those who come here – everyone has their own history and experiences, after all,’ notes Sooväli, adding that the current group includes people from Nigeria, Hungary, Egypt, and Ukraine, for example.
The group of the culture club is small by design – the group can accommodate up to 20 participants. This allows everyone to actively participate and creates an atmosphere of trust. Once the group is formed, it will remain the same for the entire programme. New participants can apply during the following rounds.
These programmes are expected to continue in 2026, and groups designed for complete beginners learning Estonian will also be added. To join the programme, keep an eye on the self-service portal. of the Integration Foundation: https://pesa.integratsioon.ee/login.
Learning without exam stress
For many people, learning Estonian through museum visits is often easier and more effective than memorising words in a classroom, as it encourages them to put their Estonian skills into practice immediately.
The language of communication in such programmes is always Estonian. ‘As we have people from very different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, it is natural that our common language is none other than Estonian,’ notes Sooväli. ‘Depending on the language level of the participants in the group, I can use body language to assist in speaking and, if necessary, use the simplest words and expressions possible. The museum is a great place to learn a language because participants can see the things and places we are talking about.’
Einike Sooväli emphasises that when learning a language, it is not important to speak flawlessly – it is simply important to speak. ‘I always tell participants that you are allowed to make mistakes – we accept all mistakes. This makes people communicate more freely. It also helps to relieve tension that there is no exam at the end of the programme, but rather pure joy from acquiring new knowledge.’
However, she emphasises that once you join the programme, it is important to attend meetings regularly. Although there is no exam at the end, those who have actively participated will receive a diploma and a written assessment. ‘Completing this course is a very good experience to include in your CV. Potential employers can get an idea of whether the person is diligent and how fluent they are in Estonian based on this assessment. Completing a programme like this is a huge bonus, even a mark of quality,’ emphasises Sooväli.
New experiences through volunteering
In addition to participating in programmes, newly arrived immigrants can also volunteer at the Estonian Open Air Museum. The museum has a large network of volunteers, and help is welcome both at events in various tasks and in everyday maintenance work, such as stacking wood or raking leaves.
‘We are increasingly seeing people from abroad volunteering. Probably because many of them do not yet have families here and therefore have more free time and the desire to learn something new. Volunteering provides excellent opportunities for this. It is also a great way to make new contacts among other foreigners and locals,’ Einike Sooväli notes.
‘And we don’t just offer work to our volunteers, but also entertainment, such as inviting them to a smoke sauna. If you haven’t been here yet, please do! We look forward to seeing you.’
Three recommendations for people who have recently moved to Estonia
- Start small.
Learn at least two words in Estonian – ‘tere’ (hello) and ‘aitäh’ (thank you). As there are so few Estonians and Estonian speakers in the world, this is one of the greatest compliments a foreigner can give to Estonians.
- Be patient.
Estonians tend to take things slow, and it takes time to win their hearts. Don’t rush or be pushy, but try to make friends with Estonians gradually. When you get close to an Estonian, you will discover a very loyal and supportive friend beneath the cold exterior.
- Don’t stay at home waiting.
If you actively participate in social life, a whole new world opens up for you. There are many opportunities to do something enjoyable in Estonia. Life is short, so absorb as much knowledge and as many skills as possible from your new country. It will make you much richer and give you invaluable experiences for life.
