You finally get to follow your dream of studying abroad, and with great enthusiasm, you move to Estonia. It is August and life in the new country is even better than you imagined. As summer comes to an end, a beautiful fall emerges, bringing with it mild temperatures and gorgeous colors. Then … winter hits. Winter in Estonia lasts from late November until late March. According to various research studies, seasonal depression is very common in Estonia due to the long, dark, and harsh winters. In the depths of winter, the days are really short and we rarely see the sun, not to mention the freezing temperatures that can drop as low as -30° C. It’s no wonder people living here can sometimes get sad and tired! For students moving from warmer countries to Estonia, winters can seem long and overwhelming. While watching the snow and building snowmen can be some of the most fun winter activities here, many international students worry about how to prepare and adjust to the cold, wintry weather they will face at The University of Tartu. This is especially true for our newly arrived international students. Some arrive slightly unprepared in “winter clothing” and “winter shoes” from brands based in countries with very different definitions of winter. Others fear their first Estonian winter like it’s the apocalypse coming. Well, never worry! Luckily, during my 3 years of having to cope with Estonian winters, I’ve learned a few tricks to make them more bearable. This blog is all about helping you to prepare and adjust to the cold wintry weather that will quickly creep up come December.
Invest in a good jacket and winter boots
If you are confused about what you should bring to Estonia from your home and what you can purchase when you arrive, a winter jacket and boots are definitely at the top of the list of things you should hold off on buying until you arrive. Most retailers carry winter jackets that are tailored to meet the weather extremes of this particular province. Depending on where you are traveling from, don’t bother trying to purchase a ‘thick’ jacket for the winter months, as it probably wouldn’t suffice. I would suggest that you budget up to €150 for a good coat, as you don’t want to cheap out and shiver your way through the entire winter period. There are many different options for purchasing a jacket in Tartu. However, if Tartu doesn’t have enough options suitable for you, it would be a good idea to make a trip up to Tallinn where there are several malls and shopping outlets from which you can choose. As for winter boots, there are multiple kinds that you can buy. Well-insulated boots will keep your toes warm on even frightfully cold days. The good ones are usually rubber on the outside and have liners that can be removed and dried when they get wet.
LAYERS, LAYERS, LAYERS
Here in Estonia, people say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. I cannot emphasize how important it is to layer up for the winter! The layers trap air between clothing and add lots of warmth. As the temperature changes, you can peel off layers to stay comfortable. Most of the heat loss from the human body occurs through our heads. Wearing a hat will keep your body temperature in balance and prevent hypothermia. If you’re worried about your hair getting messy, get over it, as no one will care about your hair if your ears freeze off. Gloves are also an important part of winter attire. Our hands are involved in practically every activity we do, so keeping them warm and available for use in cold weather is a priority. Another reason to wear gloves is to prevent dry skin. Cold, dry air can suck the moisture out of the skin, leading to dry, chapped hands. Wearing gloves can help to protect the hands from the elements and keep them hydrated.
Pay attention to your safety
While the first freezing temperatures begin appearing in October, snow usually begins in November. After the snow starts to fall, students must begin paying attention to their safety. Heavy snow and low temperatures make walking across campus much harder.
In winter the ground is so slippery, and if you don’t pay attention, you might just fall down and hurt yourself, especially when there’s invisible ice on the ground. For this reason, ice grips for boots are highly recommended.
The Estonians know a little secret for staying safe and visible during dark winter days. When venturing out in the dark in Estonia, take a cue from the locals and wear a reflector. It is a small piece of plastic or fabric that makes pedestrians visible to oncoming traffic. It is not only recommended but you can get a fine for not wearing one!
Use weather strips
Many windows and doors in student dorms have spots where cool air escapes. Weather strips are an inexpensive way to seal doors and windows. Applying weather stripping is an easy solution to better insulate your room. You can easily do it on your own or email support about it.
Get some vitamin-D
With the sunshine being replaced by grey clouds for a couple of months, your supply of Vitamin D (also known as the happiness vitamin) will be quite low! This is why it is common for levels of depression and sadness to increase during winter periods. As very few foods contain Vitamin D, it will be important to supplement your supply with some vitamins from the local pharmacy. Vitamin D of course isn’t the only vitamin we have a shortage of. During winter the availability of many fruits and vegetables is limited, and the ones that are available aren’t the highest quality. Long story short – it’s important that you get your vitamins somehow, whether from fruit or from a jar. Just make sure you get them!
Enjoy the winter!
I know, this is easier said than done. I mean, the snow is pretty gorgeous to appreciate from indoors when wrapped in a warm blanket with a hot mug of something – but playing in it is a whole other story. Think of it this way though: when else would you get the opportunity to make snow angels in the ground, throw snowballs at your friends, or use meal-hall trays as a sled?? Exactly! So allow yourself the opportunity to have some fun in the snow. It will create good memories for you and your friends and will also make for great pictures to send home on your postcards or to post on Instagram. Being outside and embracing the winter can also help to relieve those feelings of depression and loneliness that usually arise with being homesick in a far-away country, feelings typically worsened when the dreaded winter time comes around. (If you feel homesick, you can read my blog post where I shared tips on how to overcome it). Unfortunately, most of the advice given to people who worry about winter has a reoccurring theme: take your vitamin D tablets, look for cheap flights for a weekend away and invest in special SAD lights designed to replicate the sun’s natural lighting. I’m not saying any of these are bad ideas, but they are all based on the assumption that you should try to endure winter by replicating what you miss about summer. It’s a bit like becoming a vegetarian and then filling your grocery basket with those highly processed meat substitute products instead of just exploring which vegetables you like and how to make nice dishes out of them.
By knowing what to expect and preparing well for the season, winter can be as enjoyable as summer. Enjoy the most magical season of the year!
