Estonia: Global Gateway Summer 2026 (Discoveries)

Program: UW Global Gateway in Estonia, Summer

Alexander G: Sustainability in Tallinn

While UW-Madison is a sustainable campus because of our composting, walkable campus, and bus system, after spending just a couple days in Estonia, I noticed so many small practices that affect how green their country is. During one of my first lunches here in Estonia, I noticed that the restaurants and vendors have an extra cost for take-out containers. This was a surprise to me since fast food and to-go boxes are so normalized in the U.S. despite them not being sustainable. This extra cost not only encourages customers to reduce their waste, but it can also provide smaller businesses with more revenue to succeed.

A sign showing the different types of packaging and how much they cost. — Take-out boxes costing extra money depending on the size.

A tram with white on the top and red on the bottom sits on the tracks. There are electrical lines above the tram, and a building next to it. — Take-out boxes costing extra money depending on the size.

When first arriving in Tallinn, I noticed that they have a huge focus on their carbon footprint. There are dedicated trams and buses that take residents and visitors all over the city, plenty of wide sidewalks, and dedicated bike lanes everywhere. Specifically in Old Town, due to the cobblestone pathways, it makes driving a car difficult which result in them being an uncommon sight while maintaining their beautiful medieval architecture. Estonia also has some of the cleanest air in all of Europe, and they can maintain this achievement by encouraging public transportation or walking.

These practices seem so simple and obvious, but in the United States, there is not enough normalization of greener changes. Starting with myself, I plan to bring my own reuseable containers to restaurants if I know I won’t eat all my food, and I plan to have my own water bottle with me when traveling. On a broader scale, I would like to advocate for more bike paths in my community, especially in more rural areas, since biking on the road with cars is dangerous and discourages more sustainable transportation. I am so grateful that this study aboard program has helped me not only realize what I can do better to be greener but also what we can do as a collective to make our spaces eco-friendlier.

Niyah P: A Home away from Home in Tallinn

“A Home Away from Home” is the perfect way to describe my experience in Tallinn so far. Throughout this trip, I have had many new experiences and learned a lot about both Estonia and myself. One thing that immediately comes to mind is transportation. There are many places we visit that require us to take either the bus or the tram. While buses are common in Madison, trams are not, so this was a completely new experience for me. I was surprised by how easy the transportation system is to use. When we first arrived in Tallinn, we were given transportation cards that allow us to freely use public transportation throughout the city, which has made getting around very convenient.

The class sitting in blue chairs around a tan table looking at the front of the room. — Our cohort learning more about climate change at the Ministry of Climate.

Another thing I have noticed is how much Tallinn values sustainability. We have learned about different environmental practices, including the city’s waste management systems and other efforts to reduce environmental impact. Seeing how much emphasis is placed on protecting the environment has been inspiring and has made me think more about sustainability in my own life.

We have also spent a significant amount of time learning about the history of Estonia. Before this trip, I knew very little about the country’s past. Learning about Estonia during World War II and the Soviet era has been especially eye-opening. Our instructor, Liina-Ly Roos, grew up in Estonia, so hearing her personal experiences and family stories has made the history feel much more real and meaningful. The more I learn, the more interested I become in understanding Estonia’s history and culture.

A group of students smiling at the camera while standing on a viewpoint looking down at the city. — Our cohort on our tour of Old Town!

One of my favorite parts of the trip has been trying different foods and visiting new restaurants. The most memorable dish I have had was a plate of pancakes from a beautiful restaurant. After a long day of classes and activities, it was the perfect sweet treat and is something I will remember from this experience.

Being in Tallinn has helped me grow and develop a new perspective on the world. This experience has shown me how much there is still to learn, explore, and appreciate. I believe that continuing to have new experiences will help me become a more open-minded and appreciative person, and I look forward to discovering even more in the future.