Over the course of one week, our students visited a mix of institutions and innovative companies in Tallinn, diving into Estonia’s unique approach to digital governance. A trip highlight was the visit to the International House of Estonia – a one-stop center designed to help new international residents get settled. Here, the group got firsthand experience with Estonia’s fully digital system, offering everything from registration to residence permits and career guidance. It was a prime example of the country’s cutting-edge e-governance. Another memorable stop was the e-Estonia Briefing Centre, where students delved into Estonia’s digital initiatives, such as digital IDs, one-click tax declaration, and online voting.
But it wasn’t all about the big institutions – the group also met local start-up entrepreneurs. From HopLocal, an Estonian startup that makes it easy for companies to find and book team-building events in under a minute, to ÄIO, which is transforming the fats and oils industry by converting industrial by-products into sustainable alternatives, the students got a true taste of Estonia’s entrepreneurial spirit. The visit to Testlio, a global quality engineering company, gave them a closer look at how its AI-enhanced platform and worldwide network of testers help leading brands deliver flawless digital experiences. Lastly, at Tehnopol Startup Incubator, they saw how Estonia supports bold tech ideas from launch to scale. Reflecting on the trip, Goethe MBA student Lara Binckebanck said:
“What truly amazed me was Estonia’s incredible journey of digital transformation: 100% of government services are digital – you can even file for divorce online! For many of us, especially my fellow German classmates, this level of digitalization left us speechless.”
A Journey Full of Insights
This trip wasn’t just about seeing Estonia’s digital landscape, it also brought the Goethe MBA’s three focus areas of Digital Transformation, Data Science, and Sustainability to life as students got a firsthand look at how digital strategies are implemented in both the public and private sectors. Furthermore, the students also gained insights from within the classroom. As part of their academic program in Tallinn, the students attended a workshop on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and their role in Estonia’s evolving green policy landscape, led by Dr. Veiko Karu. In addition, the second part of the course Economic Environment of Business was delivered on site by Prof. Dr. Uwe Walz, Academic Director of the Goethe MBA. The experience also helped foster a strong sense of community among the cohort, with plenty of opportunities for networking, shared meals, and a guided tour through Tallinn’s charming Old Town.
In conclusion, this week-long adventure was the perfect blend of learning, exchange, and inspiration, giving our students a unique chance to apply their academic knowledge in a real-world setting.