Name: Jerry and Trina Nahm-Mijo
Nationality: Hawaiian
Why did you come to Estonia?
Trina: I came to Estonia on a Fulbright grant to teach at Tallinn
Trina and Jerry
University in the Applied Creativity Department at the Arts Institute.
Jerry: I do research in intra-cultural communication, and I wanted to learn as much as possible about Estonian culture & language (e.g.) Is the language
somehow formed by the environment? How are the people (older vs. younger generation) affected by or influenced by their environment and historical events?
What is the best thing about living in Estonia?
Trina: I love the nature and forests of Estonia. Also Tallinn is a wonderfully historic and charming city which has so much to explore
and experience.
Jerry: The people despite their stoic exterior are truly very warm and a very proud culture, willing to help and share their experiences (most of the time).
How would you describe your career perspective in Estonia?
Trina and Jerry: Living in such a completely different environment
than our home, Hawaii, has actually been a very enriching experience. It
has made it clear that our field of the Arts and therapy (Trina) and Communications (Jerry)are completely universal. Discovering the nuances our fields take in a
different environment has been enlightening and has actually led to more ideas of how to expand our field and to new curriculum development when we get home.
It has also led to some very interesting cross-cultural exchange activities. For instance, Trina was able to teach Hula (Hawaiian dance) to interested Estonian students and Jerry was able to demonstrate how to make a traditional Hawaiian imu (underground cooking with hot stones) to cook a whole pig. We were even able to get banana leaves from botanists at the Botanical Gardens in Tallinn to be able to cover the imu properly. So, although we weren’t directly involved with career scientists, we found Estonian scientists very open and eager to learn about other cultures and environments.
What was the hardest thing for you to adjust when you moved to Estonia?
Trina and Jerry: Weather (laugh). Coming from a cosmopolitan, multi-cultural environment where people are open, friendly and warm, the reserved and cautious nature of the people was a little difficult.
However, over time, they show their more fun loving, sincere and curious nature, and we have made life-long friends here.
What do you miss from your home country?
Trina and Jerry: Fresh home grown fruits & vegetables, the multicultural food and informality of the people.
You should visit Estonia because…
Trina and Jerry: It is a place which will capture your heart with its beauty and historic significance, since Estonia is one beautiful and inspiring country!
