For international students, a year in Estonia is a chance to explore a fascinating culture shaped by Nordic, Baltic, and European influences. As an ASSE exchange student, you’ll attend a local “gümnaasium” (upper secondary school), where most students choose a focus area such as science, humanities, or foreign languages. In high school, Estonian teens follow a broad academic curriculum that encourages independence, critical thinking, and digital learning.

After school, Estonian teenagers enjoy a mix of modern and outdoorsy activities. It’s common to go to the gym, take music or art lessons, or join after-school clubs like robotics or dance. Many teens are also into hiking, cycling, or even skiing in the winter. Estonia has a strong digital culture, so students often enjoy gaming, coding, or content creation.

In one year, you can explore fairytale towns, hike through peaceful forests, join local traditions and festivals, and improve your language and communication skills.