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Tallinn, Estonia: A conversation with Catherine (b. 1998)

Tallinn, Estonia: A conversation with Catherine (b. 1998)

I meet with Catherine for coffee about a week after the COVID restrictions in Estonia end.
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Helen Cai

A glimpse of Estonian music

Estonia has a rich, thriving musical history: from folk traditions to the Baltic Chain to popular music today.
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Helen Cai
Tallinn, Estonia: A conversation with Jakob (b. 1998)

Tallinn, Estonia: A conversation with Jakob (b. 1998)

Jakob and I meet on a park bench during an unseasonably warm June. His English is fluent and comes naturally — like that of nearly all…
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Helen Cai

Narva, Estonia: What’s Your Soapbox?

I asked the grade school students I was teaching to write about strong opinions and beliefs they hold. Here are some of their unedited…
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Helen Cai
Kuressaare, Estonia: A conversation with Elle (b. 1961)

Kuressaare, Estonia: A conversation with Elle (b. 1961)

Elle loves teaching others, leading tours of her hometown and along the island, and exploring the world.
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Helen Cai
Saaremaa, Estonia: A conversation with Terje (b. 1970)

Saaremaa, Estonia: A conversation with Terje (b. 1970)

I met with Terje via video link in March of 2021.
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Helen Cai
Valga, Estonia: A conversation with Rainer (b. 1956)

Valga, Estonia: A conversation with Rainer (b. 1956)

I met with Rainer through a video link in March of 2020.
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Helen Cai
Taipei, Taiwan: A conversation with Rando (b. 1997)

Taipei, Taiwan: A conversation with Rando (b. 1997)

Rando was born and raised in Tartu.
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Helen Cai
Narva, Estonia: A conversation with Misha (b. 1997)

Narva, Estonia: A conversation with Misha (b. 1997)

Misha, or Mikhail, is a busy man.
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Helen Cai
Narva, Estonia: A conversation with Kirsika (b. 1994)

Narva, Estonia: A conversation with Kirsika (b. 1994)

Kirsika is a volunteer at the NGO VitaTiim.
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Helen Cai
Narva, Estonia: A conversation with Dima (b. 1980)

Narva, Estonia: A conversation with Dima (b. 1980)

Anecdotes collected in February 2021.
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Helen Cai
Tartu, Estonia: A conversation with Heiki (b. 1975)

Tartu, Estonia: A conversation with Heiki (b. 1975)

An conversation held online in February 2021.
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Helen Cai
Lahemaa National Park, Estonia: A conversation with Andres (b. 1980)

Lahemaa National Park, Estonia: A conversation with Andres (b. 1980)

Andres is a tour guide leading us through Lahemaa National Park.
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Helen Cai
The best lessons from teaching in a foreign country

The best lessons from teaching in a foreign country

In the summer before my senior year of college, I was struck by panic. Seized by the sudden realization that my academic freedom would…
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Helen Cai
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