While waiting at the airport for your flight to Tallinn use the time wisely and download Taxify. It is the cheapest option not just for getting to the city center from airport - I bet, it will save you as many times as it saved me. I stayed at EKA my whole winter semester in Jewellery&Blacksmithing. I came here week before school started and I highly recommend you to do the same. Why ? I met my tutor Ulrika and she slightly showed me the city, some nice places and took me on a trip to a wonderful Saaremaa Island with students from my department. I got to know most of them so it made the start at new school much more easier and less awkward. Except that, it is good to have some time for exploring and getting use to new environment befor it gets busy. For sure you will read a lot of articles about how Estonians are cold and difficult to approach. Well, not my experience. Okay, maybe avoid hugging, kissing and physical conctact when u see someone for the first time but don´t be scared to talk! Estonians are very kind, funny, smart and actually talkative people. They will never say no to you. Step out of your comfort zone and don´t hang around just with your Erasmus mates. You can get to interesting places with locals ! I lived at dormitory the whole stay – it is quite cosy and comfortable. The thing is that there is no equipment when you come. But don´t be affraid. A lot of leaving students are selling their kitchen stuff or bedsheets for a little money ( look for Facebook group Muusa Majutus) or there is a particular spot at dorm where you can find unwanted items from high heel boots to books, clothes or toilet brush. Otherwise I recommend to go Factory ( shop near dormitory on Gonsiori street) or Russian flea market near Balti Jaam where you can find tons of cheap useful and interesting stuff. At Balti Jaam you can also buy a lot of good fresh fruits & vegetables, meat, sweets or pastry . And also, I can´t forget to mention that Tallinn is a secondhand heaven! If you are gonna spend here the winter semester like me, don´t bother yourself with bringing heavy winter clothes with you. All you need to do is visit Humana Vintage when is 1 euro day. Fur coats and fur hats are must have ! Culturewise there is plenty to do every day. But how to know? Everything is on Facebook. Everything. Instead of scrolling shallow videos and fancy photos start to follow fanpages of the places and you won´t be bored for sure. There are open lectures with different artists and designers provided by Kumu museum or EKA, you can see movies for free in SuperNova Cinema at BFA, live concerts, music or interesting exhibitions - check for example EKKM, Kelm, Sofar events – or just ask for tips your schoolmates ☺ And my last advice is – travel ! Especially when you will feel homesick. Estonian landscape is beautiful and unique! Every place is worth it. Also visit other cities because all of them are so close. You can take a ferry and spend nice weekend in Helsinki or you can get easily by bus to Riga, Vilnius or St. Peterburg. Enjoy your free time here as much as you can! These five months at EKA and in Tallinn were a huge experience. I have learned a lot of new things and techniques, got to know totally different culture and way of living, saw interesting places and build up some strong friendships too. If I could go back in time and choose a place for my Erasmus, I would go for Tallinn again. Veronika