anotheradventure
From: United States
10/18/2006 23:37 EST
I just found out that my husband and I will be moving to Estonia early next year, 07. So much is running through my head right now... oh geez, what am I going to do while he's at work? What are the chances of me getting employment? Unfortunately, I only speak English. I've lived overseas before, the expat community was pretty strong in Germany. Any information on the area and your experience would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Heidi
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rfamily
From: none
10/21/2006 10:30 EST
Not to worry-I've lived in Pärnu for about six months and have been able to get things done. Almost every business has at least one English-speaker and I find people quite happy to go out of their way to help. We have an expat community here which has been most helpful. Also, I have relatives who know people who know people... I have found that Estonia runs on "mañana" time and that if you don't like an answer, keep pursuing it, rephrase questions, ask different people, until you're happy. Patience pays.
Schools are very good here, I think, but the kids are rougher than we were used to. Unless you're in Tartu or Tallinn there is no teaching in english, but the older kids speak English (as do many teachers) and I have found my kids are picking things up pretty quicky.
I'm not working at the moment, but there are opportunities, although the salaries here are quite low. Foreign work might be best.
Mostly, relax and enjoy the country. It's lovely as are its people.
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rfamily
From: none
10/23/2006 16:27 EST
Heidi, I don't know of any specific positions, but have looked at monster.com and saw lots of postings for Estonia. If you have a college degree it should be easy enough to do editing or writing. Know lots of people travelling Europe doing that as they go. Also, several universities (including Cambridge) offer online courses to get certification in teaching english which only take four or five weeks to complete. The exam for Cambridge can be taken in Tallinn if you wait until you are here. I think with a little searching you should find work easily enough.
Toni
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anotheradventure
From: United States
10/24/2006 21:40 EST
Great info. Thank you. The American Commerce gave me a list of American companies in Estonia. You're right, I'm sure I'll find something. I am ready to get over there; however, so much needs to get done before we leave...like figure out what to do with the house and cross our fingers and hope we can find renters. I'm just babbling...sorry, I'm a little stressed.
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swim4trimom
From: United States
11/14/2006 14:19 EST
Hi, just saw your news. Welcome! We moved from Indiana to Tallinn in August. As Toni stated the people very nice here. The language really is not an issue if you are moving to a city like Tallinn. You can almost always find someone to speak to in English, and even when people at the stores say they don't speak English if you push on a little and smile a lot they warm up and help you. A little Estonian goes a long way to show you care - Terre = hello, Aitah = thanks. We live in Kristiine, just 5 minutes from City center in Tallinn. Where will you be living? What brings you to Estonia? There is also a missionary from the midwest here and a high school band teacher from Texas in the area. Are you bringing children, we have 4 and 2 are attending high sch. here, 2 are home schooled. The transition has been easy, rent in Talliinn can be very expensive, people at the immigration board are very friendly and helpful - we've had dinner at one woman's house and their daughter has spent the night with ours! Let me know if I can help. Also, we have found using MySpace a great way to meet local people with like interest to show us around. Currently the weather is cool to cold, some snow, and dark by evening! www.kv.ee is a good site for rental properties information.
Pam
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anotheradventure
From: United States
11/16/2006 07:52 EST
Thanks, Pam. I haven't moved yet. Depending on how things go here back in the states and renting out our home, I hope to be there in Feb or March the latest. We will be living in Tartu. We don't have any children.
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swim4trimom
From: United States
11/20/2006 04:55 EST
Hi
I've only driven through Tartu on our way to visit a new friend near Voru. When you get here there is a pub in Voru called Olle 17 on the main street. It is under new ownership (2 months) by a couple from England - Bob and Juta. They are very friendly and own a b&b also. You might want to look them up. It is probably 45min south of Tartu. I wish you well in renting your house - we were fortunate to work out a deal with a friend to split utilities and they would look after things - mail, dogs, etc. It is not easy, but definitely worth the experience of living in such a different place.
Good luck
Pam
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