Estonian teens abroad get first chance to work in summer brigades in Estonia

The Estonian Foreign Ministry, which previously organized only language camps for Estonian children living abroad, this year sent teenagers to work in summer brigades for the first time. Even though summer breaks abroad are shorter than in Estonia, many young people showed interest in the opportunity.

Anna from Abu Dhabi said she really likes the experience. Her summer break lasts only six weeks, half of which she spends in Estonia, making it hard to find a job. The brigade helps find work and makes it easier. Maurits from Brussels said he is luckier than his friends because the brigade is fun, he can complete required work hours, and he gets paid. He did not expect to be doing theater work but is very happy with the job he got.

Gete from Madrid is a third-generation brigade participant – her grandmother and parents were in the brigade and made lifelong friends there. For her, the brigade was a culture shock: everything is different, people behave differently. She learned new words and how to take care of horses and work in a stable. She had never been in the countryside like that before.

The idea to invite young people living abroad came from the Foreign Ministry in cooperation with Estonian language teachers overseas. Liina Viies, adviser at the Foreign Ministry's Department for Global Estonians and Cultural Diplomacy, noted that there are about 12,000 young people with Estonian roots aged 13 to 18 worldwide. The goal is to give them something more than just a language camp or a visit to their grandmother.

Parents sign their children up for language camps, but the young people themselves wanted to join the brigade. Nineteen applied for work, and 12 made it to the brigade. Some backed out when they learned they could not quit halfway. Others had to give up because, unlike Estonian children, students in Europe must still attend school in June and in some places even in July.