The end of the year is the right time to take a moment to reflect on the journey you have recently embarked upon. Many of you have taken your first steps in a new country this year: learning the language, discovering Estonian customs, making new friends, or gaining a better understanding of everyday life in your new homeland. I know that such a journey requires courage, patience, and an open mind. This is why I would like to first say: thank you for your efforts, interest, and trust.
2025 was also a year of significant developments for the Integration Foundation. Our goal is to provide you with clear and comprehensive support so that settling in Estonia is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Thousands of newly arrived immigrants participated in the Settle in Estonia adaptation programme during the year. Both mandatory and voluntary training courses provided insight into how the Estonian state functions and information about your rights, opportunities, and services available to you when you need them. Many of you have shared that the knowledge gained during these training sessions helped you feel more confident during your first months here – we are delighted to receive such feedback.
Language learning is equally important. This year, we opened hundreds of A1, A2, and B1 level language learning groups across Estonia and offered opportunities to study both online and on-site. Learning Estonian creates opportunities to work in your field, feel more confident in everyday situations, and participate more actively in community life. In cooperation with the excellent partner organisations of the Integration Foundation, language cafés, the Language Friends programme, and cultural activities continued, providing opportunities to practice the language in a safe environment. Studies show that those who make contact with the locals and have the courage to speak Estonian every day, even if only a little, make the best progress in adapting. That is why we support these opportunities at every turn.
I would like to thank all of you who have shared your questions and suggestions. Your insights and feedback help us improve the programme so it can support you even more. Adaptation is not just something that happens in the classroom – it is shaped by your everyday conversations, incremental progress, and every new discovery you make about Estonia.
As the year draws to a close, I wish you a peaceful holiday season and joyful encounters in 2026.
Our door is always open if you need advice and if you wish to continue your language studies, join our training courses. Together, step by step, we are creating conditions where everyone can feel welcome and cared for in Estonia.
Thank you for being with us!
The greeting appeared in the Settle in Estonia newsletter, which is created for new migrants to provide support during the adaptation process and help them feel at home in Estonia more quickly.
The newsletter helps make adaptation easier and keeps readers informed about important information needed for everyday life in Estonia. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.