Explore the frontlines of European history, culture, and security—while mastering Russian in one of the world’s most innovative and dynamic capitals. 

Tallinn, Estonia, is a city where medieval towers rise beside tech startups, where tradition meets the digital future, and where the conversations of today shape the geopolitics of tomorrow. As a student in this program, you’ll live with a welcoming local family, connect with university peers, and discover how the Baltic States have become a bridge between East and West.

Why This Program 

Dive into the intersection of language, politics, and culture as you: 

• Study NATO, regional security, and Eastern European history and society in the context of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. 

• Learn Russian language at any level—from beginner to advanced—through immersive, small-group instruction. 

• Earn academic credit in history, political science, and international studies while exploring how the region is redefining democracy and identity in the 21st century. 

• Experience the region firsthand through excursions, cultural activities, and discussions with local experts and community leaders. 

Whether you’re preparing for a career in international affairs, security studies, journalism, or global business, this program gives you the skills and perspective to stand out. 

About The Program

This exciting new program offers graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to combine courses on NATO and regional security, the history and cultures of Eastern Europe, and contemporary life in the Baltic States taught in English with Russian language study. Through classroom studies, cultural activities, guest lectures, and daily life with local families and university peers, participants gain new insights into the cultural, historical, and economic forces shaping daily life in Eastern Europe as it continues to confront Russia’s war in Ukraine. Participants receive semester academic credit in history, political science, international studies, and Russian language. No prior study of Russian is required for this program.

Classes are taught by faculty of the Department of Russian and East European Studies, the Department of History, and the Department of Government. All content courses are taught by faculty with native English language proficiency. Russian language courses are conducted in small groups by faculty who are specially trained to teach Russian to foreign students. In some instances, students may join participants in the Russian Language and Areas Studies Program language track for these classes.

A fully trained American Councils Resident Director (RD) provides ongoing support to students throughout the program. In addition to helping students adapt to Estonian culture, routines, and daily life, the RD provides 24-hour emergency assistance. The RD oversees all aspects of the program, including student housing, academics, and cultural activities. American Councils operates an office in Estonia and maintains close contact with the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn. American Councils field staff are prepared to provide additional assistance as needed.

In addition to Russian, students may elect to study Estonian while on the program.

Academics and Courses

Participants receive a total of 16 academic semester credit for the program for the following courses:

Conflict and Security: Russia, Eastern Europe, and NATO
(4 semester credits)

This course provides a historical survey of the region beginning in the early 20th century, with particular attention to the world wars, the Holocaust, NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the collapse of the Soviet Union, ethnic conflicts, the war in Ukraine, immigration, and the current security situation. Students examine such questions as: What trends can be identified in the regional politics of Eastern Europe over the past century? How might identifying those trends help to avoid future crises? What are the major obstacles to peace and stability in Eastern Europe today? How has Russia’s influence in the region altered over the course of history? How does the role of the U.S. affect the security of Eastern European states?

Eastern European Society and Culture
(4 semester credits)

This course examines the major intellectual and artistic movements shaping Eastern Europe in the 20th and 21st centuries with particular attention to film, art, and music. How have the region’s artists and thinkers responded to the violence and upheaval that has so often defined Eastern Europe over the past century? How have these responses shaped the views and beliefs of the population? How have they responded most recently to immigration, the rise of new political parties, and the war in Ukraine? How have Eastern Europe’s artists and intellectuals influenced western thought and global culture more broadly?

The Baltic States: Contemporary Society
(4 semester credits)

Designed to provide students a greater understanding of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, this course examines each of the Baltic states through the lenses of history, culture, language, economy, and politics. What features define Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania? What unites these states? What makes each separate and distinct? How has entry into the European Union changed their societies?  What are the major economic and political concerns of the 21st century? What are the key challenges that lie ahead for each?

Russian Language
(4 semester credits)

Students complete five hours per week of in-class Russian language study in small groups. Russian language classes are designed to produce measurable gains in speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills through high energy, student-centered instruction and communicative teaching strategies. Students are placed in small groups according to language proficiency.

Cultural Activities

One day per week, students participate in cultural excursions arranged and led by the RD in consultation with university faculty. Excursions are designed to expose participants to a wide range of historical, religious, and architectural sites to broaden students’ understanding of classroom materials and host country culture. Before each excursion, faculty provide historical and cultural context for the planned outing; instructors and local students also join many of the scheduled trips. Weekly excursions typically include: a walking tour of Old Town Tallinn, handcraft/traditional art workshops, Kumu Art Museum, Eesti Meremuuseu (Seaplane Harbor), cooking classes, and the Tallinn Outdoor Museum. Program excursions also include cities outside Tallinn, such as Tartu and Narva, as well as other historical and cultural places of note. In addition, the RD leads students on an extended trip to either Latvia or Lithuania during the semester to further broaden their experience of the Baltics.

Conversation Partners

To provide further assistance with acculturation and additional opportunities to develop language skills, students are matched with peer conversation partners. Program faculty interview and select conversation partners from students enrolled at Tallinn University. Conversation partners formally meet with students twice per week. In addition to academic support, conversation partners take a personal interest in their American colleagues, often inviting them to their homes and introducing them to their friends and family. Many students report that their conversation partners provide invaluable opportunities for them to find new social networks. The development of such friendships is a key component of successful acculturation and language development. Students also typically develop new friendships through a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, culture clubs, discussion clubs, musical instrument lessons, choirs, and volunteer service in the host community. 

Housing

Participants live with specially selected host families, who provide two meals per day, seven days a week. Participants reside in fully furnished, private rooms. In addition to invaluable logistical support, host families offer unique insight into daily life in Estonia; life in a warm, supportive environment; regular advice and assistance; and wide-ranging discussions of cultural nuances as participants adapt.

About Tallinn

With a population of just over 450,000, Tallinn is an exceptional setting for students seeking to study Russian, NATO, regional security, and Eastern European culture. Known both as “The Silicon Valley of Europe” and “The Medieval Pearl,” it blends the intimacy of a compact, historic capital with the dynamism of a modern European hub. Its distinctive mix of ethnic Estonians and a substantial Russian-speaking minority reflects the region’s complex historical and cultural layers. As an active member of NATO and a global leader in digital governance and cybersecurity, Estonia offers unmatched insight into transatlantic cooperation, regional security, and the resilience of democratic institutions at Europe’s eastern edge—all within a vibrant academic and social environment that values openness, innovation, and critical engagement.

About the Host University

Tallinn University (TU) is one of Europe’s most forward-thinking universities—known for its cutting-edge programs in digital technology, media, education, and the humanities. With over 7,000 students from across the world and partnerships with more than 400 universities, TU offers a vibrant, global learning environment. Its modern campus sits just minutes from Tallinn’s medieval Old Town and the stunning Gulf of Finland. 

On-Site Support and Preparation

The American Councils Resident Director (RD) provides ongoing support and 24-hour emergency aid to students as they adjust to life and study overseas. All American Councils RD’s undergo extensive training on such topics as mental health, sexual assault/harassment prevention and response, emergency procedures and protocols, public health policies and protocols, university relations, and communications. The RD reports directly to the program manager and maintains daily contact with the Washington, DC office via email and phone. The RD carries a cell phone and can be contacted 24-hours per day, as can all American Councils program staff in Washington, DC. All participants are enrolled in comprehensive overseas accident and illness insurance as part of their program fee; insurance includes the cost of medical treatment abroad, as well as medical emergency and security evacuation.

Upon admission to the program, students receive a detailed program handbook with extensive information on courses and academic credit, program policies and requirements, onsite support, health and safety, and daily life in their host country. Students also undergo an extensive, multi-day program orientation upon arrival in-country at the program’s start. Orientation sessions address the academic program, classroom expectations and culture, program policies, health and safety, group dynamics, and life with a host family. Workshops and seminars also explore mental health challenges, culture shock, counseling resources available to students, policies to prevent and respond to sexual assault and harassment, and emergency procedures.

Financial Aid

American Councils has several scholarships available for students applying to The Baltic States, NATO, and Russia program. Applicants can apply for financial aid in the program application. Learn more about financial aid available on this program.

Program Snapshot

Location

Tallin, Estonia

Language of Instruction

English

Program Dates
Fall 2026
Dates forthcoming

Spring 2027
Dates forthcoming

Program Cost

Fall: $16,400

Spring: $16,400

Academic Year: $29,900

Applications Deadlines:

Fall and Academic Year: March 15

Spring: October 15

Program Eligibility

• Minimum GPA of 2.7

• Applicants must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline