ISEP University of Tartu

The University of Tartu is the oldest and largest university in Estonia and one of the best known in Northern and Eastern Europe.

Courses taught in English focus on Baltic Studies, Political Science and Semiotics, Transition Studies, Journalism, Law, Economics and Business, Mathematics and Computer Science, Philology and Regional Studies, Ancient Near Eastern Cultures and Philology, Estonian Nature and Environment, and Cultures in Comparative Perspective.

Estonian and Russian language courses are offered at three different proficiency levels.

Estonia’s second largest city, Tartu, is situated in southeastern Estonia on the banks of the Emajõgi River, 186 km from the medieval capital city Tallinn. One of the oldest university towns in Europe, more than 18,000 students at the university rightfully makes it a City of Youth.

Nature lovers will enjoy hiking around the old red sandstone, caves, rivers, wetlands, and beautiful parks of the city, and skiers can experience the famous Tartu Ski Marathon. As a modern city with a rich historical heritage and culture, the many festivals, museums, folk art days, exhibitions, and concerts provide plenty of entertainment.

About ISEP

These programs are incredibly immersive, affordable, and diverse, but they are not for everyone and placement is never guaranteed. All ISEP program sites have an on-site ISEP coordinator with a comprehensive orientation program to help facilitate your full immersion into your host culture. You will participate in regular university classes – taught by local professors – with students from the host culture. You will be directly enrolled in the host institution and will have complete access to all campus facilities as if you were a local student.

Academics

While the main language of instruction is Estonian, the University of Tartu also offers a growing number of English-taught programs on all levels during both the semester and summer. There are also a few programs taught in Russian, so if you have a very high Russian proficiency, you could enroll in one of those programs.

Please check ISEP's website for the Various Study Options at the University of Tartu. Click on the "Academics" tab to view them.

After Empire: The Collapse of Communism and Beyond

Visit Estonia, Latvia, and Ukraine while learning about the crucial changes that occurred in these countries after the collapse of communism. This unique, interactive summer program takes students to three countries and three universities to explore social, economic, and judicial issues through lectures, discussions, and excursions. Cultural activities include visits to renowned historic sites, museums, art galleries, and theater performances.

For further information regarding the summer program, please visit ISEP's website for this program.

Cultural Activities

During every semester there are a lot of student events: international food fest, international film nights, sledging and skiing, sauna days, bog walking weekends and more. The definite highlights of each semester are Spring and Autumn Students Days, filled with dozens of entertaining and educating events, competitions and festivals. Tartu offers plenty of opportunities for sports and exercise: newly built university sports hall, several well-equipped gyms and fitness clubs, classes in yoga, step, aerobics, squash and tennis, bowling clubs and swimming pools. For those with artistic interests, there is the Tartu Academic Male Choir, Tartu University Chamber Choir, Alumni of Folk Ensemble of Tartu University, Tartu Student Theatre.

Tartu has numerous student clubs and associations, ranging from professional organizations to informal groups based on common hobbies and interests. ESN-Tartu is an organization that aims to support all international students of the University of Tartu. It works in close contact with the Student Council and with the International Student Service. ESN-Tartu helps organize free time activities, such as sports events, trips and parties, that all bring international students closer to local life.

Program Dates

Fall Semesters are typically from late August to late January

Spring Semesters are typically from early February to late June

For more information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with ISEP, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa. 
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

  

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

University of Tartu

The University of Tartu is one of the highest ranked universities in Eastern Europe and typically sits in the top 300 in the world. It is home to around 13,000 students, about 1,500 of which are foreign. The university specializes in STEM, with many students focusing their studies on Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science and Psychology. They also have a strong emphasis for Business courses and students can study many languages including Estonian, Russian, German, Italian, French, Spanish, and English.

Tartu

Tartu, Estonia's second largest city of 100,000, is situated in southeastern Estonia on the banks of the Emajõgi River, about 2.5 hours drive (186 km) from Tallinn. One of the oldest university towns in Europe, Tartu is home to the University of Tartu, the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the Baltic Defense College and some private universities. With a combined total of more than 20,000 students living in the city, Tartu can rightfully call itself a City of Youth and enjoys a unique atmosphere of a true European university town: young, vibrant, compact, and safe. Tartu feels like one big campus and offers an ever increasing number of theatres, nightclubs, galleries, and other places of entertainment.

YouTube video

Estonia

The northernmost of the three Baltic States, Estonia has historically served as a crossroads between east and west. Situated on the shores of the Baltic Sea, with a population of about 1.5 million, Estonia is slightly larger than Denmark. Across the gulf lies Finland, Estonia's closest neighbor linguistically and ethnically. Estonia offers a great case study of successful transition from Soviet past to democracy and recent accession to the EU. It is a modern country with the newest high-tech solutions – free wireless Internet can be found even in the town hall square of Tartu!

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Housing and Meals

ISEP Exchange Academic Year or Semester Program

Students are housed in double-occupancy rooms in a new residence hall (Raatuse Str. 22) located in the city centre, within walking distance from the study buildings and the University Main Building. The dormitory consists of units comprised of 3 study bedrooms (twin rooms) with a shared bathroom and kitchen. The rooms include essential furniture and blankets. Students are expected to bring (or rather buy in Tartu) their own pillow and bed linen. Cookware is not provided by the dormitory but quite often necessary cookware from previous tenants is in the kitchen. If not, students are expected to buy their own. A meal stipend is provided.

ISEP Direct Academic Year or Semester Programs

Students are housed in double-occupancy rooms in a new residence hall (Raatuse Str. 22) located in the city centre, within walking distance from the study buildings and the University Main Building. The dormitory consists of units comprised of 3 study bedrooms (twin rooms) with a shared bathroom and kitchen. The rooms include essential furniture, blanket, pillow, and bed linen. Cookware is not provided by the dormitory but quite often necessary cookware from previous tenants is in the kitchen. If not, students are expected to buy their own. Note: Meals are not included in the program fee for ISEP Direct students.

Passport

US Citizens

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students without a valid passport should apply for a new passport or a passport renewal as early as possible.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact Ryan Ourada (ryan-ourada@uiowa.edu) for information on how to ensure that their passport is valid for the duration of their time abroad.

Travel Arrangements

Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program site. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination.

Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider.

Local Transportation

Within your host city and around the country, students will utilize public transportation such as buses and trains. Excursions and general travel require a lot of walking, so bring some comfortable shoes!

Eligibility

This program is open to all UI students who are in both good academic and also disciplinary standing. Applicants must also meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.

Meeting the minimum requirements for eligibility does not guarantee acceptance into the program. The final decision on admissions rests with ISEP and the host institution.

While the main language of instruction is Estonian, the University of Tartu also offers a growing number of English-taught programs.

It is the UI Study Abroad office's policy that all students who study abroad must be in both good academic standing and also good disciplinary standing. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance and will NOT be allowed to study abroad. Any student who must forfeit their acceptance and/or attendance on a study abroad program due to a probationary status is wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.

Cost

There is a $50 UI non-refundable application fee. Students will pay the ISEP program fee, Study Abroad administrative fees, and will be enrolled in Iowa Regents international health insurance.

Program Cost Sheet

Cost Sheets

The program cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. Cost sheets include fees charged on students’ U-Bills, as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Housing charges may vary, depending on options chosen. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs charged to the U-Bill

How to Apply

Application Deadline

Spring: September 27

Fall/Academic Year: March 15

Orientation Information

You are required to attend both a pre-departure orientation here at the University of Iowa and an orientation upon arrival in Tartu. You will receive information regarding the University of Iowa orientation after your acceptance.

The orientation at the University of Tartu will be 2-3 days long and is required for all new international students. The course is designed to help international students get to know each other, the university, and the town.

The course includes:

• meeting the representatives of the university and the International Student Service;
• introduction to the university’s study system;
• tour of the university, the library, and the town in general;
• meeting the tutors;
• covering of various practical issues.

All new international students receive a student helper (tutor) to help them with practical issues. Tutors are senior students who help newly arrived students adapt to the academic environment at the University of Tartu. They are ready to give additional guidance and information on several matters, varying from studies to living conditions in Tartu. Students will be contacted by their tutor via email about 2-3 weeks before the beginning of the semester.

ISEP Student Handbook

Country Handbook for Estonia

ISEP Student Handbook

Visa

U.S. passport holders should follow the Visa batch process instructions provided by ISEP. Make sure to submit all required documents by the submission deadline. Otherwise you will have to apply for your student visa independently.

U.S. Citizens will need a student visa if they are going abroad for a semester, or academic year. Please note that to get a Estonian visa you will need to make an appointment and travel to the Estonian Embassy in New York City.

UI Study Abroad will hold advising appointments and/or information sessions to provide details on the visa application process. UI Study Abroad staff can provide some assistance on the Italian visa application process, but ultimately the individual traveler (the student) is the person who is responsible for providing correct information on the visa application and securing the visa and all other required documentation prior to travel.

Prior to starting the visa application process check in with ISEP for more information; they have a preferred timeline that students need to follow.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course "Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation" prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

Predeparture Resources

ISEP will provide you with a variety of pre-departure resources to prepare you for your study abroad experience. These will include a packing list, cultural information, housing instructions, etc. Ensure that you thoroughly review any information provided to you by ISEP and refer back to it if you have any questions.

These materials may be periodically updated to reflect new program information prior to departure. Be sure to check your ISEP Account often.

There are no photos available for this program yet. Do you have any photos to share with us? If you do, please contact us at:

1111 University Capitol Centre
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1802
USA

Phone: (319) 335-0353
Fax: (319) 335-0343
E-mail: study-abroad@uiowa.edu