Brenda Dominguez (Mexico)

PROGRAMME: Master's in Folkloristics and Applied Heritage Studies
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English and Spanish

Why did you choose to study this programme?

Most of my professional experience has been in business and marketing, but after a year, I decided to change direction a little. I am part of a cultural digital project in Mexico in collaboration with the Zoque community, focusing on sharing their culture and supporting the preservation of their language. I am passionate about cultural heritage, languages and storytelling, and I wanted a degree that would help me develop those skills. So, when I read that the programme hosts the UNESCO Chair on Applied Studies of Intangible Cultural Heritage, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.

Since day one, I have enjoyed my classes and the university's environment. What I love most, however, is my classmates. We all come from different countries and professional backgrounds, so it has been amazing to exchange ideas and share different points of view. This makes the lessons much more dynamic.

After I graduate, I hope to pursue a PhD in communications and work in the communications department of a museum, institution or NGO.

Why Estonia?

Studying for a master’s degree in Europe has always been a dream of mine, so when I decided to take the leap and started looking for programmes that met my criteria, the University of Tartu came up, and it made me put Estonia on the map. After doing some research, I decided to come to Estonia to study. As I mentioned, I really liked the programme, and the city looked cosy. It is not too big, so I thought it would be the perfect place to start learning more about the country’s culture. Tartu is also a highly cultural city, with lots of activities for students to enjoy. However, its real charm lies in its buildings and houses. When I arrived, I was amazed by all the flowers around the city; it certainly felt like a warm welcome.