Monday May 31, 2010

Today, the 31^st of May, Estonia welcomed us with clear skies and a moderate temperature on our first official day of classes outside the states. After walking nearly 10 miles yesterday, the group was ready to hit the classroom. After breakfast, we walked to the university campus to hear a lecture from Director of the Entrepreneurship Institute of Mainor Business School Dr. Andres Arrak. Dr. Arrak spoke on the current economic position of Estonia in comparison to other countries in the EuroZone and around the world. He argued for Estonia’s flat tax system, which has spread over Eastern Europe, and also lectured on issues such a economic freedom, income taxes, labor wages, employment, and life quality to name a few. After his presentation, all 14 of us crossed the street to a shopping center to eat lunch. We decided on a place called Vapiano’s, which is a pasta/pizza bar. Immediately after lunch, we boarded buses and went to our first company visit of the trip. Eesti Energia is an energy company that focuses on mining and extracting usable fuel from oil shale, and producing and selling the power they derive from it. They have operations in Estonia, Jordan, the U.S., and a few others. Eesti Energia is completely owned by the government and it has some of the most advanced technology in the world in the field of oil shale production. After our company visit, we were done for the day. Dreading the long walk back to the dorm, a few of us chose to stop in a nearby sports retailer to purchase a soccer ball. They did not carry American footballs. With the class work over and time to kill, some people slept off the hangover that is still prevalent from the drastic time change, some chose to visit Old Town, and others fiddled their thumbs. The group split up for dinner, but met up later at a local hotspot called Hell Hunt (a.k.a Gentle Wolf). Today was a long day, full of new experiences and great conversation. We thank Dr. Arrak for sharing his knowledge and time with us, and we also thank the people at Eesti Energia for sharing all their secrets.

Our first full day in Estonia

Pictured above is an inside view of the caves that run beneath Tallinn.

After a long day of traveling, the group awoke well rested and excited about starting our first full day in Tallinn, Estonia; we could not have asked for a better day to explore the city with clear skies overhead. The guys awoke early for breakfast at the hotel across the road with the girls not far behind. After a stroll around town, we met up with Dr. Shook and Anne-Mai for a tour of the underground passages at the Kiek in de Kök cannon tower. The passages date back to the 13^th century and have been used for various purposes throughout the years including a shelter during the Soviet bombings during World War II, means for trade, and even shelter for the well fortunate homeless.It also showed us a truly unique first hand experience of an underground structure that has been an integral part in the progressive advancement of Tallinn throughout the years. We were given blankets for the tour due to the 40 degree Fahrenheit temperatures of the underground passages. The time spent touring these caves gave us great insight of some of the original development and progress of Tallinn and how far it has come to this day. 

After the first tour and a brief break we met back at the steps of the recently constructed Monument to the War of Independence. The structure represents Estonia’s fight for freedom and is made of glass, representing the fragility of the countries mere thirty nine years of independence. It was interesting how our guide reiterated this thought of brief independence that citizen of Estonia have experienced. Thirty nine years of freedom is minimal compared to the freedom that we have been so blessed to endure as American citizens throughout our entire lifetime.  Our guide lived through times when Estonia went from being a free state to being under Soviet occupation where she would be jailed for simple things such as talking the way the Soviet government did not approve, essentially her freedom of speech was taken away. You could tell through the way she talked and her mannerisms how much the independence and freedom of her state meant to her, as well as all 1.3 million citizens within Estonia.

Pictured above is the Monument to the War of Independence which commemorates Estonia's freedom from foreign rule.

We continued on to visit the major landmark of Tallinn’s Old Town which included Parliament and a one hundred year old Greek Orthodox Church. We got to see some beautiful views from atop the limestone wall that has been standing for centuries. Our tour concluded with a large meal at Peppersack where we reflected on a successful first day in Tallinn, Estonia. Tomorrow we will arise early for a lecture on the economic crisis in Estonia and continue our journeys through Tallinn.

This blog was experienced firsthand and documented by: Patrick Markham and Jared Robinett

WE'RE HERE!!!!

So we have finally arrived and settled in Tallin, Estonia and are EXHAUSTED!! We had a few delays when travelling including an hour layover in Atlanta due to bad weather and then two of our members did not receive their luggage. We also encountered some problems using our checking cards in the ATMs, but we were able to eventually solve this problem. We are just all glad to be off the plane and settled in our dorm that is a lot more spacious than we thought!  The picture below is of me and Emma in our dorm room!

We arrived in Estonia around 2:20 in the afternoon today and after unpacking went to explore the city. We got to see Old Town which is a historic, medieval themed part of Estonia and ate at an authentic Estonian restaurant. Everyone was pleased with their meals except for a member that ordered bloody sausage, which was not the most pleasant site to say the least. The girls decided to make a trip to the mall afterwards, and then we made a visit to the grocery store that was located in the Viru Center, or their mall. Tonight will probably be an early night for everyone to catch up on sleep and get ready for the adventures of tomorrow!
Kristen

Hello! The Auburn Central and Eastern European Study group finished boot camp today! Although it wasn’t awful I think we are all happy to be finished and free for a week.  

The class started last Thursday and met every weekday from nine to five with a lunch break.  It has been an intense week of lectures, simulations, papers, and a final. Yes, it was a long day for all of us, but Dr. Shook made it bearable with his YouTube videos, and amusing stories.  

   I believe one of the highlights of the week was going on a company visit to Kia, an automobile plant.

The 2010 group at the Kia Plant              

  We watched a video of the company and then went on a golf-cart tour of the plant.  It was amazing to watch robots making cars.  The assembly line for their product, the Sorento that is seen in the picture, was extremely efficient. I think this visit was definitely helpful for the group in having a better understanding for what we are to expect while overseas. 

             We have gotten to know each other better and are really excited to be leaving for Europe next week!! (ahhhh! mild panic this is actually happening.)  Most of us this week will continue to prepare for our three week long journey, and we will be jet setting our way to Estonia, on May 29th.  I think we are all in for some fun times and adventure.  I'm positive this blog will definitely have some entertaining moments as well as the opportunity to learn about Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.   

Mary-Elsye Winchester 

What about this blog?

The Central and Eastern European Studies Program provides the opportunity to study strategic management in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Strategic management concepts will come to life through company visits and candid discussions with business leaders in small group settings. Students will meet upper-level managers at the helm of local and multinational businesses who have led their organizations through the challenges associated with their country’s transition to a market economy and EU integration. Students will also meet government officials responsible for public policy.

This blog will be written by the students about their experiences and impressions. It will be an uncensored and first-hand account of the student's three weeks in the Baltics. Please follow our adventures.