PERSONAL STORIES
Stories of People in Our Community
Our personal stories bring you honest, warm and inspiring experiences from people who have found their new home in Estonia. Everyone has their own journey, their own path to integration and adaptation.
Adam
Adam, originally from the United States, has built a life for himself in Haapsalu, where he arrived without a clear plan. He was initially drawn there by his interest in the Estonian language, but over time, it grew into something more.
These days, his life revolves around translation and writing, and he is an active member of the local community, where he also runs his own bookstore café. It’s a story of how something unexpected can grow into a true sense of home.
Mila
The war forced Mila to leave Ukraine, but in Haapsalu she found a place where she could begin again. After finding a home and settling in here, she began supporting other people arriving from Ukraine, helping them adapt to life in a new country.
Today she leads Pilates sessions in Haapsalu. Her story is about courage, adaptation, and how movement can help restore balance both in the body and in life.
Neringa
Originally from Lithuania, Neringa lived in the UK for many years before moving with her family to Estonia, to the seaside town of Haapsalu. Family life, language learning and everyday connections shaped her new beginning.
This story explores learning Estonian, daily communication and how a sense of home slowly took shape in a small town. Through language, work and local life, Estonia became a place Neringa truly belongs to.
Natalía
A physiotherapist from Colombia found a new rhythm, human warmth and a place that slowly began to feel like home after arriving in Estonia.
This is not just a story about moving countries, but about constant self-searching, burnout and those quiet moments when you realise that life can become calmer and deeper precisely when you least expect it.
Ramazan
The Turkish chef Ramazan has built a new home in Estonia, just outside Haapsalu. He has found his rhythm and balance in the company of his small family, black bread, and quiet mornings.
His story is filled with warmth, humor, and understanding. His story reminds us that happiness is not found in luxury, but in a peaceful way of life. Ramazan skillfully blends Turkish spice with Estonian calm, speaking openly about adapting to the local people and way of living.
Natalie
Natalie is an actress from Canada and has performed on stage, appeared in films, and taken part in international red-carpet events, but her path has led her instead to Haapsalu. The hustle of Toronto is now behind her, replaced by the calm of life in a small Estonian town.
In Haapsalu, Natalie has discovered a new rhythm. Quiet sauna evenings, berry-filled forests, stories shared with her children, and a true sense of home. Things the big city could never offer. Her story is about the courage to make a life-changing turn and the beauty of finding simplicity.
José Mario
José Mario Calero Vizcaino comes from Mexico City, the colorful and vibrant heart of Mexico. The aromas of market stalls and the silhouettes of mountains accompanied his childhood. Love and the wish to create a safe home brought him to Estonia with his family.
Life by the calm seaside offered a counterbalance to the fast pace of his homeland. This is his story of a journey from the sunshine of Latin America to the peace and quiet of Haapsalu.
Kishori
Kishori comes from the small town of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, northern India, surrounded by mountains, ancient temples and colorful markets. The search for a safe and peaceful home brought him and his family to Estonia.
The quiet seaside life of Haapsalu reminded him of the calm rhythm of his hometown. This is his story of a journey from the mountains to the shores of the Baltic Sea and building a new life far from his birthplace.
Meet Cees
Welcome, dear reader, we’re so glad you’re here. Let us introduce you to Cees, our very first guest. He’s got Dutch roots, Estonian soil under his nails, and enough good stories (and even better recipes) to keep you happily listening long after the coffee’s gone cold.