Estonia: Global Gateway Summer 2026 (First Impressions)

Program: UW Global Gateway in Estonia, Summer

Jackson F: Sustainable Travel Practices and Goals

Traveling abroad is itself quite a dirty process in terms of pollution, especially long-haul flights which we did for this program. Hence, it is important to be sustainable elsewhere in your travels whenever possible to try to account for the more unsustainable practices. For example, I made two major sustainability commitments during this program: 1) I would bring my water bottle to avoid single-use plastics and 2) I would not take Ubers to any destinations since Tallinn is both walkable and has a good public transportation system.

Furthermore, by following what National Geographic calls the 3 R’s you can cut a significant amount of your normal individual waste while traveling. Reuse: whenever possible pack items you will be able to reuse many times like a water bottle. Recycle: Avoid using single-use plastics but when you do make sure you are disposing of them and other waste responsibly (especially in countries where they separate their waste into more categories than in the U.S.)! Reduce: only pack what you need and try to find ways to reuse the items you pack whenever possible. This framework has helped me a lot throughout the program, although it is equally important to make sure you are still packing the essentials (I’m looking at you forgotten travel adapter)!

A line of four bins, each with a different icon on the front of each one. The one on the left is green and yellow on the top, the next one is blue, the next one is gray, and then on the far right there is one with brown and an apple cutout. — In Estonia nearly all trash cans in common spaces are split into 3-5 different types of disposal bins.

One last general tip I have for being more sustainable is using a browser that supports the environment. During this program we have homework and other discussion assignments, so we are constantly on the internet. Thus, using a browser such as Ecosia, which plants trees and invests in renewable energy programs around the globe, is a great way to be more sustainable without even having to put in extra effort. It is super easy to install and functions just like any other browser, so I highly recommend it. I have had it for a little over a month and am already responsible for 23 trees being planted so see if you can beat me!

Makayla H: The 5 Senses in Tallinn

After visiting Old Town my feet hurt. The cobblestone streets that line the small medieval block are beautiful but uneven. I stubbed my toe and tripped multiple times throughout our visits through the square. The night we arrived in Tallinn we were treated to a themed medieval restaurant, Peppersack, for dinner. The tables were set with bread and our glasses were goblets. The first dish, soup, filled the room with the hearty scent of broth and dill. For our main course we had salmon and potatoes. For my first time trying salmon, it was buttery and very delicious. Dessert was a mango sorbet with passion fruit sauce and dried raspberries, it was sour and sweet in just the right ways. Between courses I enjoyed listening to the hustle and bustle outside on the square. Hearing children laugh as they run around and the various lively conversations was a great first impression of the city.

A narrow white building with a peaked roof with red tiles. The front of the building says "Peppersack" and there is a red sack hanging from the front. — Peppersack, the restaurant we attended the night we arrived in Tallinn.

A round plate with a rectangle of salmon on top of a white sauce and potato bed. — Peppersack, the restaurant we attended the night we arrived in Tallinn.

After dinner we decided to explore Old Town some more, wandering the criss-crossing streets and trying, to the best of our ability, not to get lost. We stumbled upon a chocolate shop that smelled like heaven in a nook hidden off a side street. We saw the funniest souvenirs at a shop nearby and became friends with the owner. We walked past gorgeous little cafés with flower beds in their outdoor seating.

A narrow street with colorful buildings on both sides. Far ahead is a pink building at the intersection of the roads. — One of the side streets that we explored on our first night.

In trying to stay up as late as we can in order to trick jetlag, we found a fire show. From my understanding, this was a special performance for Old Town Days, a yearly festival celebrating the medieval city. By the time the show started a large crowd had gathered in a semi circle and the man began his tricks. He danced, skipped, and swung with fire. For his grand finale he wooed the audience with a magic transfer of fire using nothing but his mouth. When the crowd roared with applause and I looked at all their smiling faces, my feet no longer ached and I was ready for everything that Estonia has to offer.

Kathryn P: “We’re not in Madison anymore” Moment

My “We’re not in Madison anymore” moment during my program in Tallinn, Estonia, came when a couple of other students and I climbed the tower of St. Olaf’s Church (Oleviste kogudus). We climbed 258 steps up to the top. From the top of the tower, we could see two distinct areas of Tallinn. On one side, there were tall modern buildings with glowing screens and buses and trains driving through, on the other side, there was Old Town, where much older-looking buildings and cobblestone roads. Being able to see from the top of the tower and see the two very different areas of the town was such an amazing experience. Even though it took a little time to get up the tower, the view was very much worth it. The view from the top of the tower really let me see the full city landscape.

An outdoor area with a picnic table with a tablecloth over the top. There is a white building with a thatched roof behind the table. — View from alleyway in Old Town.

Looking from a high point down at the city, with medieval style buildings with red roofs amongst large trees. — View from alleyway in Old Town.

One interesting fact I learned about my program city is that Old Town Tallinn, Estonia, is widely regarded as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe. This means it still has 13th-century architecture. Walking through Old Town is such a special experience. I have loved looking at the old buildings and all the amazing architecture. In one area of the town, you can see where during WWII, there was an air raid that destroyed some of the wall; it was later replaced with Soviet Union-style architecture.

A group of students smile at the camera. They are clumped together standing on a narrow space on the roof between green roof tiles and a metal barricade — Global Gateway Estonia students atop St. Olaf’s tower.

It is amazing how much history can be seen through buildings. Estonia has been occupied by the Danish, the Swedes, the Germans, and the Russians, and through this, they have been able to keep the historical architecture alive. I would definitely recommend visiting Old Town to someone if they ever visit Tallinn.