Roots and rediscovery: Lisa Trei’s journey to Estonian Studies
Lisa Trei is not your typical graduate student. A third-generation Estonian-American with decades of journalism experience under her belt, Lisa’s story weaves together history, personal rediscovery, and a lifelong love for learning. Now pursuing her master’s degree in Estonian Studies at Tallinn University, she’s on a mission to deepen her connection with her ancestral homeland while contributing her expertise to preserve its history.

Lisa’s fascination with Estonia began in 1985, when she visited for the Laulupidu (Estonian Song Festival). For someone who grew up in America only hearing about Estonia from her grandparents, it was a revelation. “It was amazing to discover that behind the Iron Curtain, Estonia was a real place—not just a fantasy land where people wore folk costumes and sang in an unintelligible language. I did not grow up speaking Estonian but, as a young journalist in the late 1980s, I was eager to learn more about this land,” she recalls.
That visit ignited a passion to learn more. By 1990, Lisa was invited by renowned sociologist Marju Lauristin to teach “western-style” journalism at Tartu University. Her reporting during the restoration of Estonian independence in 1991 placed her at the heart of history, making her one of the few foreign correspondents documenting the Baltic States’ dramatic journey to freedom.
From Stanford to Tallinn: A new chapter
After decades of work in the United States, including a long tenure at Stanford University, Lisa retired in 2023. But retirement didn’t mean slowing down. Instead, she sought a new challenge. Tallinn University’s Estonian Studies program presented the opportunity she needed to brush up on her Estonian and explore the country’s culture, history, and society in greater depth.
Although the program’s initial cancellation in 2023 was disappointing, Lisa’s determination didn’t waver. She enrolled in Open Academy courses, immersed herself in university life, and reapplied successfully when the program reopened in 2024.
What’s it like studying Estonian Studies?
For Lisa, the program is both intellectually stimulating and practical. “So far, all the courses—covering history, contemporary and traditional culture, society and politics, linguistics, and more—have been very interesting,” she says.
“After working for many decades, it’s a privilege to learn for pleasure and fun,” Lisa shares. She encourages not only western Estonians like herself but also expats and foreigners in Estonia to consider the program as a way to gain a deeper understanding of the country.

Beyond the classroom
With classes scheduled mostly on Thursdays and Fridays, the Estonian Studies program accommodates working students.
Outside university, Lisa’s work continues to reflect her commitment to Estonia’s history. She currently works as a consultant at the Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom, where she was a Fulbright Specialist in 2024. Just recently, the Museum launched Free Winds, a digital exhibition on Estonian refugees’ harrowing journeys across the Atlantic in the 1940s.
The exhibition, available in Estonian, English, and Swedish, will open as a physical exhibit this summer. Lisa’s master’s thesis builds on this work, as she works on Unustatud merereisid (Forgotten Sea Voyages) by Jüri Vendla, the only book documenting these perilous escapes. “I’m translating and updating it as part of my master’s thesis, and I am looking for a publisher. Everyone should know more about these amazing stories of bravery,” she says.
Estonia: Now and then
Returning to Estonia in 2023, after first living here in the early 1990s, has been a revelation for Lisa. “Estonia is no longer a post-Soviet society,” she says. “It’s a normal northern European country now—with bad weather and a bad neighbor.” Unfortunately, the last two cannot be controlled.

Despite the challenges, Lisa is inspired by the country’s progress. “Estonia’s development as a democratic European nation is nothing short of remarkable. Its independence must be protected forever. Elagu Eesti!”
A few of Lisa’s Estonian favourites
- Favorite word: Jäääär (Edge of ice)
- Favorite food: Summer strawberries
- Favorite song: “Ta lendab mesipuu poole” She's a member of Kalamaja Segakoor and looks forward to singing it at the 2025 Laulupidu (Estonian Song Festival).