This is my personal ‘diary’ about my time in Estonia, where I’ll be residing untill 2011.
I’m a Brazilian, 27 years old, married, no kids yet and, maybe, kind’a crazy.
My English is not perfect, so be patient.
The idea of this blog is to give a foreigner perspective on Estonia and to make this perspective more ‘accessible’ since I’ve been writing only in Portuguese (and Norwegian).
My perception and ideas about Estonia are not written on a stone, so please, feel free to disagree and take part in making me see things from your own perspective.
So, welcome to my head!
Hello,
I’m just curious, how did you secure your job teaching in Tartu? I’m interested in moving to Estonia, particularly Tartu, and would like to teach there as well.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kevin
Well, I ended up not securing much.
In my last post I tell that I moved from Estonia last July.
They needed a portuguese teacher in two places, I was very, very available so they gave me the jobs.
They would pay me very little on both places, and I needed every cent. But they don’t pay well.
Right now I teach in Norway. Here the hour is twice than in Estonia (which doesn’t mean that is enough), but I have a much better life in other very important areas.
I wish you the best of luck!
If it doesn’t work in Estonia, there’s always places like Norway, Sweden, Danmark, Finland etc. where you can prosper with not much effort.
Hey blog author!
I am terribly sorry that you didn`t have the greatest time in Estonia. Obviously didn`t come across very nice people. I am estonian but last year been travelling around in UK and Australia and first time seeing my country and people through different angle..and I must admit that though I love both- country and people, they are not perfect as u said.
Yes..lot of estonians are very racist and xenofobic but I really believe that it is because of our dark history. That has made us cautious and perhaps bit paranoid. Estonia has been open for foreigners such a short time, I guess people need a bit more time to become tolerant. People are always scared of things they dont know much..how many people with black or asian background you met in Estonia? I am sure that not many. And definately our non-existant wages and social benefits and supports are one of the main reasons why we are not very multicultural bunch:) Masses go there where it is easy. Like..UK, Australia, Canada, Scandinavia. And most estonians..in a weird way are pretty relieved that things are that way..i know that in “wealthfare” countries there are lots of issues with immigrants who come from completely different culture and who are not accepting the culture of the country where they are moving. I hear aussies complaining every single day about people who come there from islamic countries. Spaniards complain about south americans, brits complain about indians, east-europeans, africans and arabs..estonians about british guys who come there for a stag night and russians who live there but never learn estonian..so there is always someone who doesnt like someone.
What I really wanted to say is..Ive always shown great interest in people who come to discover estonia and who have good intentions. I don`t care if someone is black, white or yellow as long as their heart is on a right place. So all peope are not the same. If u have any questions about estonia or estonians don`t hesiate to send me an email. Would love to answer any questions:)
@Helen i totally agree with you that there is always someone who doesnt like someone.. i have leaved in north cyprus for over 5 year and i will tell you that i saw a lot change within 5years, This were people that saw dark skin as strange but gradually accepted the fact that we are all human beings though we have physical variance. The Question i have about estonia is that, as a foreigner is it possible to live in estonia, considering Job oppurtunities, health, education and recreation. As an estonian you will know better, like i would say Cyprus is a good place to study and tourism but not advicable for settlement as a foreigner. How do you see estonia try and be more elaborate so that people will understand the country estonia better.
Hello, I am interested in Estonian because I am Estonian-American via my father is an Estonian displaced person from WWII who relocated to United States. All my family in Estonia had survived the war, we learned many many years later, and my Grandmother came on a visa once long time ago when I was a small child.
My concern nnow is that a trip to Estonia with my children, and or my grandchildren would not be possible due to the fact that my grandchildren are Afro-Estonian-Americans. Please advise.