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Mart Soonik has worked in the media since 1991, when he started as a reporter at Eesti Raadio (Radio Estonia). Since then he has worked both as a journalist and as a communications manager. Currently he is a lecturer of crisis communication at Tallinn University and the owner of MSMedia OÜ. During the past five years, he has given lectures at the Technological Educational Institute of Athens as an Erasmus guest lecturer.

What first brought you to Greece five years ago?

As I was focused on crisis communication, these were interesting times. Greece was talked about frequently. In addition, there were not very many options for guest lecturing – the Institute of Communication had just begun its work. Since then I’ve visited the same school every spring. I have become friends with most of the staff – this has been the main reason to return lately.

What have you learned yourself?

In Greece it is common that any plans you have made or anything you have prepared for, can change. The location of the lecture or the students attending can change instantly. Even the subject I’m supposed to lecture on can change. In a word – endless flexibility.

I’ve had to ditch all the material I have prepared for the lectures every time I’ve been there. Often someone forgets to do something or does not come to where they were supposed to be. The biggest challenge is to get used to being flexible. Agreements and punctuality are not a given, even though we here in the Nordic countries are used to this. Communication students should definitely go abroad

I have also learned the southern way of not worrying too much. They don’t take life very seriously. Everything is more playful, creative, less framed.

What about communication skills?

I believe this experience is very developmental, it teaches me to adjust to the situations and react quickly. If we talk specifically about crisis communication, then in comparison to Greece, Estonia is a much more stable society, wherein it is easier to predict the reactions to any statements or actions.

It is vital to see how things work elsewhere. Communication students should definitely go abroad, or we will be stuck within the local context. In actuality, there are a lot of nuances, which we would miss even when compiling texts.

Learning from European countries is very good, since in addition to the many differences, we have some very clear common traits.

How have you used the Greek experience while teaching here?

I have started to use the seminar form rather than just giving lectures. This gives me the chance to place the students in more intense, even stressful situations, where they have to come up with more solutions faster. This adds creativity and trains the analytical mind, teaches them to react quicker. I have probably developed a certain handwriting, or there have been rumours about me

I have probably developed a certain handwriting, or there have been rumours about me, since the students that come to my seminars are increasingly sparkle-eyed and come along better and better.

What would you recommend to your colleagues here?

To be more flexible and creative. I love systemising things, but I have learned that the focus should be on whether things actually match. It is very important to adapt to your surroundings and apply your models to what the situation demands.

In the end, the models themselves must be developed. What worked 20 years ago might not be relevant today. Often you have to omit something or replace it with something else.

Do you need any prerequisites to enjoy other countries?

Yes, I thinks so. Not everyone could cope in the Southern or Western Europe culture. I would not recommend Greece to very persistent people who love safety above all. Perhaps they should start from Germany and go south gradually. I care more for the freedom out there than the Nordic safety.

Have you got something from Greece that would be unavailable in Estonia?

I like working outdoors. When the sun is shining, a warm breeze is blowing and I’m sitting in the shade, my head becomes clear. In Greece, it is also possible to eat very well for next to nothing. I immensely enjoy fresh fish with salad.

And, of course, the Greeks themselves are completely different. They are accommodating, kind and friendly. Yes, they are dreamers and absent-minded, which can be very annoying, but the good qualities outweigh the bad.

I care more for the freedom out there than the Nordic safety. That is one aspect I like more about Greece than Estonia.

 

Questions asked by:
Kadri Eisenschmidt