SU Tartu 2025 Review: Estonia’s Sugarfree Forest Survivors

The title of AEGEE-Tartu’s Summer University “We’re not made of SUgar: Survivors of the forEST” suggested that it was a place for tough people only. After many activities in Estonian nature, including forest bathing and a “Comfort in Discomfort” session, all 20 participants were still alive — and completely enthusiastic about the hospitality of the organisers and the beauty of the country. The SU took place from 22 July to 5 August 2025.

GT: What was your Summer University about?
AEGEE-Tartu: Our SU was about personal development through the power of Estonian nature.

How many participants and organisers joined the SU?
We had 20 participants and 19 organisers. Altogether, around 40 people took part in making our SU a reality.

Which workshops and other activities best represented the spirit of your SU?
We had quite a few workshops, but what best represented us were definitely our “Comfort in Discomfort” workshop and the “metsakümblus”, or forest bathing, workshop.

What was a funny or emotional moment that defined the event for you?
One of our sweetest and cosiest moments was definitely the evening when we read out some anonymous confessions. The atmosphere, the lighting and the group vibes — all of them were just right to create a sense of community and closeness.

Any stories from the gossip box you can share?
There are too many to count, but we did have some brave participants who managed to make contact with the ever-so-shy Estonians and even broke the ice with them!

What made your group of participants special?
Our group was extra special this year because of all the different types of people we had. Despite our differences, everyone became very close and almost familial with each other by the end.

Did the group stay in touch afterwards?
Yes! Although mostly on an individual level, we and the group have stayed in touch with each other, and many have had great hangouts together afterwards as well.

How would you evaluate the SU overall?
By now, we have a really great setup for introducing local culture well and showing off some of the more wacky and noteworthy sides of what makes Estonia amazing. Something that still needs some work is definitely the inherited shyness that every Estonian seems to be born with — but that’s exactly why we organise such events: to have some crazy Europeans come and pull us out of our shells!

AEGEE-Tartu’s events always have great workshops.Which impact did the event have on your antenna?
With every larger event we organise, our team becomes better at running them, so we hope this SU gave us the boost to make future ones even better.

Anything else you’d like AEGEEans to know about your SU?
From what we’ve heard and seen, people really enjoy experiencing Estonia and listening to what we have to share — and we love it when people are there to listen and immerse themselves in the deep forests and bogs together with us. So if you’d like to be part of that as well, definitely keep an eye on what the future brings!