By Heidi Hetterscheidt
The author’s Russian class at the Winter School International night
This past J-term, I had a wonderful opportunity to improve my Russian language skills by attending the Tallinn Winter School program. While I was apprehensive at first about attending the program because of the fact that I was the only Miami student who enrolled, I could not be happier with my decision to go. While there, I improved my Russian skills, immersed myself in the post-Soviet culture that exists in Estonia, and was able to make several new international friends.
The program itself was fantastic, and I strongly encourage other students to attend either the winter school or the summer school program the university offers. Every day, I went to class for 3 ½ hours and intensely practiced Russian. The course improved my grammar skills, broadened my vocabulary, and challenged me to speak and listen to Russian.
In addition to my classes, I did a lot of exploring. My dorm was located only 5 minutes away from the Old Town, so I was able to visit as often as I wanted and ended up spending the majority of my free time walking around, marveling at the beautiful medieval architecture. My favorite place to relax was in a small café that had a fantastic view of my favorite building in Tallinn: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. There, I enjoyed Estonian mulled wine, known as glögg and other traditional Estonian snacks.
While I had plenty of time to familiarize myself with Tallinn and Estonia’s second largest city, Tartu, I was also able to take weekend trips to Helsinki, Finland and Riga, Latvia. Having the chance to see these different cities proved to be very interesting because it was still evident how much Russian influence was still placed upon this part of Europe.
Suomenlinna, an island off the coast of Helsinki
Helsinki Cathedral and Statue to Tsar Alexander II
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Tallinn
View of Tallinn from the medieval wall
Tallinn Christmas Market in the center of Old Town
View of the frozen Daugava River as the sun sets (at 4pm)
The Freedom Monument in Riga that was erected after the Latvian War of Independence. Thankfully the Soviets did not destroy it.
Ready for take off! Bobsledding at Riga’s national luge and bobsledding track
Tubing in Tartu with the other Winter school participants.
Heidi Hetterscheidt is a senior majoring in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies.