Applied Psychology Erasmus+ students visit Tallinn University
A group of IADT Applied Psychology students visited Tallinn University, Estonia this month to participate in an Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme on Legal Psychology, they were accompanied by Applied Psychology lecturer Dr Sinéad Meade.
After settling into their on-campus accommodation, IADT students received a very warm welcome and campus orientation from programme coordinator Sille Silluta. Then they joined students from Estonia and Latvia in class where they learned about the legal system, deception detection and non-verbal communication, interviewing eyewitnesses and suspects, eyewitness identification, and information gathering. These very informative, engaging, and enjoyable lectures and seminars were delivered by Psychology lecturers Dr Kristjan Kask, Remy Suurna, and Marri-Liis Tohvelmann of Tallinn University. The students also had a great time working together to prepare a delicious ‘taste of Estonia’ meal in the Science Kitchen with Home Economics lecturers Dr Jaana Taar and Dr Kristi Paas. In addition, Dr Sinéad Meade delivered a very well attended and received lecture and seminar on her research on the psychological effects of prison work as well as a critique of the current system of prison oversight and accountability in Ireland and Europe to Estonian staff and students.
The connections IADT students made with their Estonian and Latvian classmates and the broadening of their horizons will be invaluable to them.
Applied Psychology student Arthur Fyodorov commented that “It was an eye-opening experience to travel abroad and study with my friends, let alone meet new people which I would never have met otherwise. Definitely one of the best week’s I’ve experienced”.
While student Jay Amusan was delighted to learn more about legal psychology and felt “the cultural experience made it great overall”.
Tallinn is a vibrant and fascinating city where the cobbled streets of the walled medieval old town are juxtaposed with a new and modern city. The students enjoyed many sightseeing and cultural experiences including the viewing platform in St Nicholas’s Church, a visit to the Museum of Occupations and Liberation, a mesmerising demonstration at Laura Smideberga’s glass jewellery studio, and a wonderful meal in a medieval restaurant in the old town. IADT looks forward to further developing this connection with Tallinn University.