I need info on studying Russian in Tallinn

[MarkusT]

My name is Markus T. and I live in San Diego, CA. In college I studied Russian for 10 years, but that was 20 years ago; I am now 45 years old. I am interested in going to Tallinn, Estonia for one month to study Russian intensively (arriving via Brussels & departing through Helsinki). Could anyone recommend a school for me to contact? Would anyone have any suggestions for me about where I could safely live for 6 weeks? What should I expect to pay for an apartment for 1 month? Two weeks of my time would be travel time. I would like this trip/vacation/study time to take place anytime from 01 APRIL 2003 through 15 MAY 2003. Thank you.

[Edited by MarkusT on 6th May 2002 at 06:45]

[lawrencevanrijn]

Hi,

Why Talinn? Talinn is pretty safe for men. It is beautiful there as well. Moscow university has a 3 week language course. 20 lessons very intense. You can get a campus apartment, and a better room for a additional $30-50 per week (your own shower and such.

If you can only learn Russian in Talinn then put a add on http://www.epl.ee, but you wouold need to know Estonian. there is no english version.

http://www.trimaran.ee/bis/links.html

This is the link of a marriage agency there, but contact the webmaster, he probably knows a russian teacher or two.

Hope it helps. If you still do not have a option next januari i will see if i can find someone for you (i live in Stockholm).

success,

Lawrence

[MarkusT]

Dear Lawrence,
Thank you for your kind response to my posting. I did find an intensive Russian course in Talinn; $400 Euros for a 70-hour intensive (for 2-3 weeks). The reason why this was appealing to me is that it would be all organized for me as it is a program/group thing. I do not want to have to go somewhere alone and figure it all out. There is also info here in the US which says that it is easier to go to Estonia than to go to Russia. Also, I read that there is a significant native Russian population in northern Estonia. Finally, I've aleady studied 9 languages and I would love to also 'be around' estonian people. Finally, finally, the proximity to Helsinki is a huge plus for me; I would love to jump on a ferry, travel over the water for 50 miles and be in Helsinki. From Talinn, I can jump off to other places quickly; I was thinking that to do the same thing from inside of Russia might be a different story. I do not mind being surrounded my russian people; it's just even more interesting to flit off to Finland, Latvia, etc. This was my reasoning for Estonia. Thanks again,
MarkusT

[lawrencevanrijn]

Hi,

Can you tell me more about the course? I will run it thorough them. I know a few Estonians. I will also check on apartments for you (very much cheaper then hotels), and this seems interesting for me too.
I might just do that in stead of going to Moscow.


Have fun,

Lawrence

[MarkusT]

Dear Lawrence,
Thank you once more for your interest; I did not understand previously that you too, were interested in studing Russian. I am giving you this short reply for now and I will follow it with greater details within 2 days time. There are actually more Russian courses in Talinn than the one I mentioned. 400 Euros = $340.00 US dollars; this is such a good price for a 70-hour course I think. A similar course in Russia would no doubt be cheaper, but I would be satisfied with spending this for the course part. To find it, I did an advanced search using Google and the key words: Estonia, Russian language, intensive, Talinn, etc. You might like to check on your own, if you do not want to wait for my reply. As I said earlier, the word in the US, is that it would be abundantly easier for me to do such a short course in a small 'western' burocracy like Estonia, rather than approach the huge soviet entity of Russia. Many people tell me Estonia is the lovliest place, kind of like Switzerland; and I also know Estonia had a dynamic President recently who has moved the country forward since the pull-out of the Soviet Union. Apparently Estonia has made greater strides forward than its neighbors Latvia and Lithuania. All of these details are important to me in making this decision. Going to Mother Russia herself might be an other trip sometime in the future; for now, I really love the idea of going to Estonia. No one in the US would even think about going to Estonia; it is such a foreign place to us... and this is how I am thinking about it. The program offers a number of options in terms of housing; but I would be very interested in putting that part together for myself. It would be so easy for you to travel to Talinn and be there for a month; you are very fortunate in that regard. Thank you again. I look forward to your reply. MarkusT

[MarkusT]

Dear Lawrence,
I am flying to San Francisco tomorrow for one week and I will not be able to give you more information about the courses in Talinn as my time in SF requires much work. I will post a reply to you upon my return to San Diego. Sincerely, MarkusT

[scorben69]

i am in a very similar position to you, Markus T. I would like to pick up my Russian which I studied some time ago.

How was your experience in Estonia? Would you recommend the course? Please let me know, preferably at scorben69@hotmail.com

regards
scott