“You study philosophy? So like… what job are you going to get with that?”
“Are you trying to be the next Aristotle?”
“That must be… abstract.”
Well..no. But also yes. But also kind of no.
If I had a euro for every time someone asked me those questions, I could probably buy everyone in my program a round of drinks. I’m from Nigeria, currently doing my master’s in Philosophy at the University of Tartu and whenever I tell someone this, their reaction is… interesting.
I mean get it. Is it even worth it?
Studying philosophy doesn’t come with a clear career pathway. There’s no obvious job title waiting at the end. For most people, that’s a problem. But for me? That’s exactly the point!
People think studying philosophy means I’m always nose deep in ancient text, consistently debating the existence of God, and thinking profound thoughts in silence, while sighing deeply about the vanity of it all.
That’s far from reality.
So, let me tell you what it’s actually like.
It’s Philosophy in Practice
Philosophy is an interesting programme. Many people agree with this. The issue, however, is that it has a reputation for being abstract. I had the same concern, but that’s exactly why the University of Tartu stood out to me.
Philosophy at Tartu is beyond debating whether reality is real (although, I’m not going to lie, we do that too). The institute recently changed the program’s name and curriculum to focus more on practical philosophy. This means applying philosophical ideas to solve real-world problems.
It’s philosophy, but it’s philosophy that matters outside the classroom. It’s philosophy that’s applicable to solve problems in the current world we live in.
I Learned How to Think
Before I started studying philosophy, I thought I was good at thinking. Turns out, I was just good at having opinions.
Having opinions is reactive. You pick a side and defend it. Most of the time, those views come from habit, emotion, or the latest cool ideology you read online.
Thinking is slower and more uncomfortable. You ask why you believe something, whether your reasons actually hold up, and what would change your mind if you were wrong. Can you justify it? For this, you need clarity, precision, and intellectual honesty.
Now, because of this foundation, I started noticing sloppy reasoning, even when it’s my own internal monologue. I became more careful with claims and less impressed by confidence without substance.
Sometimes this is annoying. You can’t just watch a movie anymore without thinking about the moral implications of the main character’s choices. But it’s very useful. I’m better at solving problems, better at understanding people, better at explaining what I actually think instead of just feeling strongly about things.
What I’m trying to say here is that I’ve changed for the better, and that all thanks to studying philosophy at the University of Tartu.
It’s Not Just Books (Thank God)
The institute organizes events constantly. Think parties, writing retreats, discussions, games… you name it! These events are actually fun. More importantly, they’re how I’ve managed to make friends with Estonians and other international students.
Learning Estonian can be challenging. But when you’re hanging out with local students at a department event, you inevitably pick up words here and there. You learn that Estonians are quiet until you get to know them, and then they’re hilarious.
I once thought these social events were nice extras, but now I know they’re one of the ways you survive and thrive in a new country.
That Time We Went to The Forest
It’s the wildest thing the department has done. Taking us all to this house called Susimetsa in the middle of the forest. Like, properly in the forest. Away from city life and distractions. And the crazy part is, we actually liked it. At least I did.
Think of this as a bonding/group therapy experience. We did presentations, we meditated, cooked together, played games, and stayed up late talking about everything. In fact, I had my first sauna experience during this trip.
There’s something about being stuck in a forest with your entire department that breaks down barriers. I’m not saying every university should kidnap their students and take them to the woods, but maybe they should?
Lecturers Actually Care
You know those professors who clearly see teaching as the annoying thing they have to do between their research? You won’t find them at UT.
Classes are very interactive. The lecturers at the University of Tartu are genuinely invested in whether you understand and are growing. They know your name. When you’re struggling with a concept, they’re willing to listen and help you through it.
And they’re approachable. We call them by their first names. They’re brilliant academics, but they’re also just people who want you to succeed.
Snacks and Real Talk
I really admire how open my institute (and the university at large) is to feedback and continuous improvement. There’s a clear sense that the programme is evolving, and that students are part of that evolution, not just passing through it.
At the end of the last semester, some of our lecturers held a feedback session, and they brought snacks. We went through what worked? What didn’t? What should be done differently? And they listened. We were all trying to make the program better together, and I found that very lovely.
Also, those snacks were really good. Never underestimate the power of good snacks.
So…What Do You Do With Philosophy?
Ah yes. The question.
My class is deliberately diverse. The department specifically chose people from different backgrounds, countries, and with different career plans. That’s because the programme isn’t training you for one job. It’s building your mind to think productively, ask the right questions, have better ideas, solve complex problems, communicate with precision, and make sound decisions when there’s no obvious answer.
Which, if you think about it, sounds like something most jobs need. The skills this programme teaches you work anywhere.
Some of my classmates are heading into tech, education, health, communications, governance, entrepreneurship, etc.
And honestly? With AI becoming more popular, building your thinking ability might be the most practical skill there is.
Plus, the forest trips are pretty cool.
All images are the author’s own unless specified otherwise.
Leave a Reply