(For immediate release, April 29, 2025)

The Estonian American National Council (EANC) – Eesti Rahvuskomittee Ühendriikides (ERKÜ) is pleased to announce that it will provide travel stipends (up to $1250 each) for two Estonian American upper secondary and university students who have been accepted to participate in the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory’s (EIHM – Eesti Mälu Instituut) 2025 Summer School for Students with Estonian Roots. 

From August 3 – 8, 2025, students of Estonian heritage from around the world will come together in Estonia to learn about 20^th century Estonian history, including the Mass Flight of 1944, when many Estonians fled Soviet persecution.  The summer school will include visits to the cities of Tallinn, Tartu, and Viljandi to see significant historical and cultural landmarks, and to participate in interactive workshops and group discussions. It will be a wonderful experience for making new friends and an opportunity to learn about one’s ancestral homeland.

To announce these grants, EANC President Mai-Liis Bartling explains, “EANC is continually looking for effective ways to keep Estonian American youth connected with their roots and well-versed in Estonian interests and history.  In 2024, for the first time, we were able to support Estonian American students to participate in the EIHM summer school. Their experiences were so positive and memorable that we are excited to support more students again this year.”

Katherine Hubschmidt, a 2024 summer school participant and EANC travel stipend recipient, shared: “It was a memorable life experience which I will always treasure. I had the unique opportunity to engage and study with historians and international leaders, tour historical places throughout Estonia, practice my Estonian, and make new friends from around the world. I left Tallinn feeling more proud than ever to be an Estonian American.”

Participation in the summer school will be free of charge; EIHM will cover program, meals, and accommodation costs for all accepted students.  To encourage attendance and defray travel costs, the EANC will provide a travel stipend to cover up to $1250 (each) in airfare for two Estonian American students who have been accepted to the program by EIHM. Interested students will need to submit a short application to EIHM here by Monday, May 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Estonian time.

Please email the EANC at ERKUnoored@estosite.org to let us know that you have submitted your application and why you wish to be considered for the EANC travel award.  The EIHM will make all admissions decisions for the summer school. If accepted, you will then be notified by EANC about travel funding.

We highly encourage all Estonian American students to consider this unique opportunity!

Contact:

Estonian American National Council:

Submit Letters of Intent to EANC Youth Committee here: ERKUnoored@estosite.org

General questions: erku@estosite.org

More about EANC, our mission, and Estonian American activities here: www.estosite.org

Estonian Institute of Historical Memory

Website: www.mnemosyne.ee

Summer School questions: konkurss@mnemosyne.ee

Application to EIHM Summer School (August 3-8): https://mnemosyne.ee/en/call-for-applications-2025-summer-school-for-students-with-estonian-roots-2/