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Courses in Estonia Tips on finding a course and useful sites
A small state to the north of the Baltic region, half covered by forests,
Estonia has close ties with Scandinavia. The economy is open and stable,
characterised by its flexibility and innovation and announcing itself as a digital
society -«e-country»- because most of its services and formalities are accessible
at long distance.
The most dynamic economic sectors are: new technologies, services, engineering,
mechanics and electronics, crafts, logistics, wood and video games. The exporting
sectors are linked to the production of machinery and equipment, minerals, food
products, the production of metals, transport and chemistry.
Name and legal framework
‘Internatuuri’
The practice of courses is rather recent and not very widespread in Estonia; it
is therefore easier to arrange a course in an institutional context (Erasmus+,
for example). Legislation only covers training courses inherent in the vocational
training organized in the country.
At the end of 2016, the average salary was 1,182€ for a working week of 40 hours.
Practical life
Estonians are a rather reserved nation, and women are well represented in society.
The relaxed atmosphere is similar to that of the Nordic countries.
In terms of latitude, Estonia is near the Polar circle, so the days are long in
summer and short in winter. This requires a certain adaptability to the way of life,
and of the body.
Language: 86% of adults speak a foreign language: Russian (older people) and
English (younger people); and sometimes also Finnish, which is fairly similar to
German. To take a course, it is essential to master at least English.
Cost of living: It is estimated that the current cost of living in Estonia is 29%
lower than in France (power, accommodation, transport, purchases). With a 500€
monthly budget, it is possible to live without hardship; with 600 to 700€, life is
quite comfortable.
Accommodation: the average price of student housing in Estonia is 176€, so allow
between 100 (student housing) and 250€ for a monthly rental.
A few sites: www.city24.ee ; www.kv.ee
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It is sometimes necessary to explain the meaning of the word 'course' and
what is expected by it, because this practice is not very well known. There are
French investors in the areas of the sale of perfumes and construction, as well
as cooperation in the information technology sector. Those could be useful for a
search of a course.
Find businesses
÷ To consult the directories of French and international companies operating
within the country www.estonianexport.ee
÷ Ministry pages on Estonia: www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/se/estonie
÷ The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has offices in Tallinn,
Tartu, Pärnu, Johvi and Kuressaare: www.koda.ee/en
÷ The Franco-Estonian Chamber of Commerce: ccfe.ee
÷ The portal of Estonian businesses: www.estoniantrade.ee
÷ ÷ lists thousands of offers in central and eastern Europe
÷ The Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture: www.epkk.ee
÷ The Association of Estonian Businesses: www.eas.ee
÷ The Estonian Association of Small Businesses: www.evea.ee
÷ The Estonian Council of Foreign Trade: icc-estonia.ee
÷ A business directory: www.estonianexport.ee
The main unions and professional associations
÷ Industry and engineering: www.emliit.ee
÷ Working with wood: www.furnitureindustry.ee
÷ Manufacturers of wooden houses: www.woodhouse.ee
÷ Agri-food: www.toiduliit.ee
÷ Textiles and clothing: www.textile.ee/ertl
÷ interpreting and translation: www.online.ee/~eettl
÷ Tourism agencies: www.etfl.ee
÷ Construction and building: www.eeel.ee
÷ Telecommunications and new technologies: www.itl.ee
÷ Estate agencies: www.ekfl.ee
Employment agency websites
÷ www.tootukassa.ee
Press for those who speak Estonian
÷ www.epl.ee ; www.postimees.ee
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