A Home Away From Home

ESN TalTech IC is part of the Erasmus Student Network, one of the largest student organizations in Europe. Its values are simple but powerful: students helping students. But to me, it was more than a mission statement, it was the first door that opened when everything felt new.

I still remember my first days in Tallinn where yes, I was yes eager to live new experiences, but also bit lost. Lost until an exact moment, the moment where a friend of mine told me: “Hey Matteo, today after class come to this ESN meeting, it’s cool, my brother is already a member there and he is having the time of his life”. After that I walked into a room full of people from different countries, languages mixing in the air, and smiles everywhere. In minutes, I was talking with people from five different continents. That evening, I realized I had found something special: a community where everyone belonged, no matter where they came from.

More Than Just Partying

ESN TalTech IC organizes all kinds of activities: cultural evenings, game nights, trips across Estonia, parties, workshops, and language cafés.

For all the exchange and international students, ESN is their first point of contact in Estonia. Volunteers help with everything: from navigating public transport to understanding Estonian. In return, international students bring their cultures, stories, and energy, making TalTech a truly global campus.

Behind TUTIC (Our Cute Bunny Mascot)

One of the things I admire most is the team behind ESN TalTech IC. We are volunteers, A.K.A. students who choose to spend their free time helping others. They plan events, welcome newcomers at the airport, guide campus tours, and make sure no student feels left behind.

Getting to know them made me appreciate just how much work goes into keeping the community alive. It’s not just organization, it’s passion, teamwork, and a genuine desire to make life better for others. Many volunteers (me included) start as participants, fall in love with the community, and decide to give back. And eventually, that’s exactly what happened to me.

A Personal Journey of Growth

Becoming part of ESN TalTech IC didn’t just give me friendships (or even something more) it helped me grow. I became more confident, more openminded, and more aware of the world around me. I learned how to communicate across cultures, plan activities, and work with people from different backgrounds. These aren’t just “student life” skills, they’re life skills.

I’ve been an ESN member for 6 years now and thanks to it I lived the best experiences of my life: from dipping in the Arctic Ocean in Norway to dancing traditional Turkish dances in a city that I never knew existed. During my ESN career I visited more than 15 countries and met the most wonderful and interesting people in the world.

Most importantly, ESN taught me that home isn’t a place. It’s the people who support you, laugh with you, and make you feel like you belong. Even during the coldest Estonian winter, I never felt alone.

Why ESN TalTech IC Matters?

Every semester, hundreds of students arrive in Estonia with excitement and uncertainty. ESN TalTech IC is there to welcome them, guide them, and help them build a life here (whether for a few months or a full degree). It creates cultural understanding, meaningful friendships, and moments students will remember long after they leave.

Join the Community

Whether you’re an exchange student, a degree student, or someone looking to make new connections, ESN TalTech IC has a place for you. Join an event or visit our office (U01–225), say hi to the volunteers, and let yourself be part of something bigger.

You might walk in as a stranger, but you might leave with a second family.

The article was first published in TalTech blog.