Please introduce yourself 

My name is Marc Dolcet Sadurni. I come from l’Arboç, a small town in Catalonia, Spain. I received my BSc in Physics from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and then I moved to Tallinn to continue my studies. I am currently pursuing my PhD at TalTech. 

Where did you first hear about TalTech before coming here to study?  

I first heard about Estonia from a friend who had been an exchange student here. He was very excited when talking about how modern and digitalized the country was.

At the same time, I was looking for a master’s programme in renewable energies, and I wanted to study abroad. TalTech offered a very interesting programme called “Materials and Processes of Sustainable Energetics”, which immediately caught my attention. The programme covered different energy solutions, and I followed the materials-focused path, where we learned how to produce and apply new materials for energy applications.

The turning point for me was the interview I had with the programme coordinator before coming here. I was told that I would be able to do laboratory research from day one, and that really convinced me to join. TalTech has very good laboratories and facilities, and students are encouraged to join research groups and gain practical experience alongside their studies. 

What were your expectations about studying in Estonia? Have they been met?

At that time, Estonia was still quite unknown to me. I knew the winters were tough, but I did not expect them to be that hardcore. I had also heard about Estonia’s strong entrepreneurial culture and how digitalized the country was.

I have to say that Estonia exceeded my expectations. It turned out to be a very modern and well-organized place to study and live. It feels like everything works efficiently in this country.

After completing the engineering master’s programme at TalTech, you continued with the PhD studies. What is your research about?  

My PhD research focuses on a group of semiconductor materials called pnictogen chalcohalides. In simple terms, these materials are promising for future solar cells and other optoelectronic devices. I synthesize them in the laboratory here at TalTech, and I study their properties to understand how they could be improved.

Have you ever regretted your choices?

Not really. Moving to Tallinn has opened many doors for me. I am very happy with my decision. If I had to make this decision again, I would not change it.

How is student life at TalTech? Are there extracurricular activities, internships or student clubs available that you could take part in?

Student life at TalTech is on another level. There are many opportunities for students, and TalTech organizes many events throughout the year. You really feel part of the community.

There are also different student organizations you can join, so it is easy to find something that fits you. I personally joined ESN TalTech IC, the Erasmus Student Network.  

Being President of ESN TalTech IC and later ESN Estonia allowed me to represent and advocate for exchange students in Estonia and contribute to improving their experience here. Through ESN, I could organize many local, national, and international events while meeting people from all over Europe. Student activism has been a very important part of my experience in Estonia. 

What has been the most unexpected, positive, or funny experience you’ve had with Estonians while living here so far?

If I had to choose one, I would say the Summer Games. It is a multi-sport competition among students from different Estonian universities, held in Kääriku, an idyllic place in South Estonia. These amazing sports facilities include even a lake.

For three days, you play sports during the day, sleep in tents, and party at night with more than 2.000 Estonian students. It is a very cool experience.

What do you miss the most from home and how often do you travel there?  

I am Mediterranean, so I would say I mostly miss the food and, of course, the sun. Winters in Estonia can be very long and dark, so you need to be ready for that. But then summer compensates for it with so many hours of daylight even during the night.  

I usually go home twice a year, during the summer and for Christmas.

Would you recommend other students from your home country to study at TalTech? What makes it unique experience and why would someone from there come to study here?  

Yes, definitely! Compared to studying in a bigger city like Barcelona, I would recommend TalTech because the education here feels more personalized. I really appreciate how practical the studies are. You spend a lot of time in the laboratory, working on group projects, and applying what you learn.

What are your plans in future? Do you see yourself staying longer and living in Estonia?  

My main priority right now is to finish my PhD. After that, if a good opportunity comes up, I would definitely be open to staying in Estonia. I have been very happy here.