Giving My First Talk as an Entrepreneur in Estonia: What I Learned About Life, Locals, and Integration
After nearly two years of silence on my vlog, I finally picked up the camera again—and it wasn’t just any ordinary day. It was the day I gave my first official talk as an entrepreneur in Estonia, and let me tell you, it was foggy, nerve-wracking, exciting—and deeply fulfilling.
For those of you who don’t know me, I’ve been living in Estonia for over a decade now. I originally came from Pakistan, and over the years, I’ve learned the ins and outs of what it really takes to build a meaningful life in Estonia. And now, I’m turning that experience into something more: a service to help foreigners integrate better into Estonian society.
Why I Decided to Start This
For the past few months, I’ve been reaching out to companies across Estonia—especially those with diverse, international teams. The idea was simple: what if I could use my personal journey to help others navigate the same challenges?
So I created a service:
👉 Workshops and talks designed to help foreigners living in Estonia feel more confident, more connected, and more prepared.
And on this particular foggy day, I had two bookings:
One online talk for a company with mostly native Estonian employees, and
One in-person session for a multicultural team in Tallinn.
It felt like the perfect way to begin this new chapter.
Adapting My Talk for Estonians
Now, here’s where it got interesting.
My first session was for a team made up primarily of Estonians—not expats. So the angle had to change. Instead of telling foreigners how to adapt to life in Estonia, I was asked a question that really made me pause:
“What can native Estonians do to make integration easier for foreigners?”
That single question changed everything. I had to tailor my presentation from scratch, making it relevant for the locals while still drawing from my personal story. So I decided to go back to basics:
The three biggest challenges I faced when moving to Estonia
How each of them impacted me personally
What helped me overcome them—and how Estonians can be a part of that journey for others
I kept it raw. I kept it real. No textbook advice—just lived experience.
Going Live: The First Talk (Online)
I logged into the Zoom session, slightly jittery, and was immediately greeted by a few familiar faces. “Raise your hand if you’ve seen me before,” I asked. A few hands popped up. That helped.
I told them I prefer meeting people face-to-face—shaking hands, taking photos. But still, I gave it my all. And it worked.
One key takeaway? Even Estonians are eager to learn how to make their society more welcoming. It was heartwarming to see the curiosity and support on the other side of the screen.
But no time to reflect—I had 15 minutes to dash across town to the next one.
Part Two: Speaking In-Person in Tallinn
Walking into the second venue, I felt both nervous and excited. The fog was still thick, but the energy inside was warm and welcoming. I set up my camera, greeted everyone, and noticed a smaller group than expected.
No problem.
Even if one person had shown up, I’d have done the talk just the same.
And just like that, I began:
“Hello, everyone. I’m here to talk about how to build a meaningful life in Estonia as a foreigner—and how we can all support each other in the process.”
I shared the raw truths:
The language barrier
The loneliness
The cultural gaps
And how all of that slowly transforms into confidence and belonging—with time, effort, and support
Real Reactions From the Audience
After the talk, I caught up with two attendees—Kalan and Pranka—who offered reflections that honestly made my day.
Kalan said:
“I learned many new things about Estonia—its culture and the opportunities it provides. The host shared everything from experience, not from a book. That made all the difference.”
Pranka added:
“I came with so many questions, and he answered all of them with so much warmth. I’m definitely going to connect with him again.”
Hearing that? That’s when I knew I was on the right path.
Why This Matters (and What Comes Next)
If you’re new to life in Estonia, or even just considering the move, you already know how overwhelming it can be. There are practical challenges—housing, jobs, language—but also emotional ones: loneliness, identity, belonging.
That’s why I started this.
Not to just share my story—but to build bridges.
For companies hiring foreign employees in Estonia, there’s huge value in helping those employees feel at home—not just in the office, but in the country.
And for expats? Sometimes all it takes is someone who’s been through it before, saying, “Hey, I get it. Here’s what helped me.”
Final Thoughts
This wasn’t just a talk. It was the beginning of something bigger.
Something that connects people. Something that makes life in Estonia easier for newcomers. Something that helps Estonians understand how they can be a part of that change.
