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Tallinn
Tallinn, Estonia

Summer in Tallinn

New for Summer 2025!

Study Program Part-Time Internship

Tentative Dates

-

4 weeks

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Spend your summer in Tallinn, the picturesque Baltic capital of Estonia, known for its well-preserved medieval Old Town, vibrant cultural scene, and innovative tech industry. Designed for students from all academic backgrounds, this four-week international summer program invites you to gain valuable professional experience in a thriving tech hub and innovative business environment, while immersing yourself in Tallinn’s rich cultural heritage and exploring its captivating blend of medieval charm and modern progress.

During your time abroad, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to bolster your resume with entrepreneurship and startup experience, study contemporary controversies in international relations, and connect with local and international students alike. From growing your professional network by meeting members of the Baltic American Freedom Foundation and AmCham community to exploring the city's seamless integration of medieval history with modern advancements, Tallinn is the ideal backdrop for a summer abroad!  

Unique Experiences

Get to know Estonia's unique sauna culture

by trying traditional, Russian, and smoke saunas

Enjoy the charm of Green City

by visiting many parks and hiking trails in Tallinn and nearby

Collect valuable contacts

from startups, local entrepreneurs, and international companies

1,000+

REGISTERED STARTUPS 

200+

NEW CONTACTS FROM BALTIC AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION COMMUNITY

100+

COMPANIES AVAILABLE FOR VISIT

Experience
  • hssa students posing against the tallinn skyline
  • Narva Street outside of TalTech in Tallinn
  • Tallinn church skyline sunset

Your Destination

Situated just a short ferry ride away from Finland, Estonia is an incredible Baltic nation known for its membership in the European Union, Eurozone, and NATO. The country boasts a thriving democracy and is highly developed, with exceptionally advanced digital infrastructure in place.

Estonia’s cultural hub, Tallinn, serves as your backdrop while interning abroad in northeastern Europe.  gates, defensive towers, cobblestone streets, hilltop castles, and beautiful cathedrals all contribute to Tallinn’s reputation as the “Gem of the Baltic,” making it recognized as one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. Today, Tallinn is not only renowned for being Estonia’s capital and largest city but also as the “Silicon Valley of Europe,” with the city nearly 100% digital, which means that almost all services are available online .

CIEE has established partnerships with many Baltic American Freedom Foundation (BAFF) alumni companies, as well as the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Estonia. Therefore, you’ll have ample opportunities to gain real-world knowledge in emerging topics including cyber and energy security, environmental science, entrepreneurship, as well as Baltic languages and culture and international public diplomacy.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Tallinn. 

The Culture

tallinn narrow street in the medieval part of town

Excursions & Activities

  • Touring major Estonian cities, such as Pärnu (the summer capital of Estonia) or Tartu (the City of Good Thoughts)  
  • Visiting local startups and businesses associated with BAFF
  • Canoeing, kayaking, hiking, or cycling in Estonia’s pristine and unspoiled landscape  
  • Exploring Tallinn’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of Europe's best-preserved towns from the Medieval Period  
  • Networking with BAFF alums’ businesses and other local startups 

Program Blogs

Student in the pilothouse of the ferry
From CIEE

CIEE Tallinn's First Overnight Trip to Helsinki

By CIEE Tallinn at CIEE

Greetings from CIEE Tallinn! This weekend we had our first overnight trip to the beautiful city of Helsinki, Finland. Packed with cultural discoveries, delicious cuisine, and unforgettable experiences, our journey... keep reading

Tallinn city
From CIEE

Welcome to E-Estonia!

By CIEE Tallinn at CIEE

As you gear up for your study abroad adventure in Estonia, get ready to dive into a world where the 'E' stands for electronic, and the possibilities are boundless. The... keep reading

best foreign language programs study abroad
From CIEE

10 Best Foreign Language Programs

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Itching to take your foreign language skills to the next level? One of the best ways to fast-track your language learning is to immerse yourself in a foreign language study... keep reading

Housing

Housing & Meals

Housing

CIEE Tallinn offers diverse housing options to ensure you're comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to student residence buildings, we will strive for your accommodation preferences to be met. Additionally, all housing options are located in neighborhoods with convenient access to public transportation, shops, cafés, and eateries.     

Standard Housing: 

  • Homestay: Includes a single room in a homestay with an Estonian and/or Russian-speaking host family to immerse you in the city’s language and culture. Homestays feature a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with the host family and are located within 30 minutes of the city center by public transportation. 
  • Residence Hall: Includes a private room in a student residence building located within 5 minutes of the city center. All rooms boast a kitchen, private bathroom, free Wi-Fi, and TV, as well as bedsheets, blankets, towels, and weekly cleaning included in the fee. Students use self-service laundry facilities with other students/guests in the building.  

A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. 

Meals

  • Homestays: Breakfast and dinner are provided  
  • Hotel-Residences: Meals are not included 
Bob W Housing building

Standard Housing

Residence Hall

tallinn-housing-bobw-single-bed-blue-wide.jpg

Standard Housing

Residence hall single room

tallinn meals dish featuring feta, spring greens, tomatoes, potatoes

Meals

Academics

Academics

Students on the Summer in Tallinn program will enroll in one three-credit course.  

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.   

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Program Credit

3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Academic Culture

CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. Courses are demanding due to the fast pace of course content, and participation is essential. Attendance is required, and students should avoid scheduling travel during the week. In class, instructors introduce new content and focus on improving students’ knowledge in selected field. Outside of class, students visit the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering. 

Class Format

To facilitate effective learning, the course can offer small class sizes, allowing for personalized attention and a conducive learning environment. Classes taught at CIEE Tallinn are for CIEE students only (usually up to eight people). Classes are held Monday through Friday. The courses will be conducted by qualified and experienced instructors. This ensures that students receive quality education and guidance.  Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.  

Grading

U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded on the basis of class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.    

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

Course Information

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing
Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks Start Date * End Date *

*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Evelyn Müürsepp

Evelyn Müürsepp

Center Director

Evelyn has 15 years of experience in Estonian Government and two years of experience at CIEE, where she supported the launch of the new CIEE Tallinn Center. Tallinn is Evelyn's...

Mari Prok

Mari Prok

Student Life Manager

Mari holds a Master's degree in Social Sciences, blending a multicultural background with over four years of hands-on experience in marketing & IT project management, event planning, and client relations.

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